Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota (GKP) Forest Icon Site ecosystem account pilot
We worked with the Murray–Darling Basin Authority, CSIRO, Marsden Jacob Associates, IDEEA Group and GHD to develop an experimental pilot ecosystem account for the Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota (GKP) Forest Icon Site.
Due to its environmental and cultural significance, GKP is one of six icon sites on the River Murray to be monitored as part of The Living Murray Program.
GKP is the largest area of intact River Red Gum Forest, visited by migratory birds listed under international treaties. It is also part of the NSW Central Murray State Forests Ramsar site.
The GKP pilot account demonstrates that ecosystem accounting can provide estimates of economic and societal benefits, and support decision-making. As this is an experimental account pilot, projects should consider limitations when applying account information. Future projects will consider learnings and continual improvement of methods.
The CSIRO Australian Ecosystem Models Framework was a key source to develop the account. The framework provided insight into how Australian ecosystems behave. This helped us understand how the ecosystem adapts through the different seasons. For example, ecosystems look different in summer and winter but remain in healthy condition.
The benefit that the GKP environment provides was quantified through valuation of selected ecosystem services. The estimates suggest that the ecosystem assets at GKP are worth at least $4.7 billion at present. This is based on the current and future provision of the selected economic and societal benefits.
Read more
- GKP Short summary (2021)
- Experimental Accounts report (2021)
- Technical report on physical and monetary supply and use (2021)
- User needs report for GKP (2021)
