New research shows how growing Queensland regions can learn from biodiversity and carbon offsetting efforts to better meet water quality targets.
The study, led by The University of Queensland researcher Joseph McMahon from the Reef Catchments Science Partnership, explores how the integrity of water quality offsets—critical to protecting the health of the Great Barrier Reef—can improve, especially in areas with growing populations such as Cairns and Mackay.
The research is published in Science of the Total Environment.
"Water quality offsets are designed to counterbalance industrial pollution by reducing emissions elsewhere, often from agricultural sources," Mr. McMahon said.
"However, our study highlights substantial uncertainties in the effectiveness of this approach, especially in accurately measuring pollution reductions from agricultural land use changes.
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