Webinar Wrap-Up’s – Thanks to our two most recent presenters

Our 2026 webinar series is well underway, and we have had many great presentations so far this year.

 

Phil Mulvey – Rehydrating landscapes: understanding how it works and why

Phil Mulvey is a valued contributor to the HydroTerra webinar series, and it was a pleasure to have him back. Thank you, Phil, for an engaging and insightful session on landscape hydration in climate systems.

The webinar highlighted how healthy soils and vegetation support the small water cycle, helping regulate rainfall and temperature, while degraded landscapes increase drought and flood risks. A key takeaway was the importance of soil health and the “sponge effect,” where improved soil structure and organic matter enhance water retention.

Phil also emphasised whole-of-catchment management—from ridge to river—and shared practical strategies such as maintaining ground cover, increasing plant diversity, and using water-retention structures. Global examples demonstrated how rehydration can improve water availability, productivity, and resilience.

The core message: hold water where it falls to restore natural water cycles and build climate resilience.

 

Tim Peterson – When Streams Don’t Recover: Drought driven threats to our water security

It was a privilege to have Associate Professor Tim Peterson share his expertise on drought-driven runoff non-recovery and its implications for water security.

The webinar highlighted that droughts can cause long-term or even permanent reductions in streamflow, with some catchments failing to recover after rainfall returns—suggesting a shift to an alternative hydrological state. A key driver is increased vegetation water use, where higher evapotranspiration reduces runoff.

The session emphasised that “missing” streamflow is measurable and persistent, posing challenges for water planning, especially in a drying climate. Catchments were also described as systems with tipping points, where recovery may require very wet years.

Overall, the presentation reinforced the need for improved modelling and research, and highlighted tools like HydroState to better understand changing catchment behaviour.

Thank you again to Phil and Tim and all who attended.

If you would like to watch a recording of these webinars, head to our webinar library.

Webinar Library