Spatiotemporal Flood Trends and Resilient Solutions for Water Extremes: A Case Study of South-East Queensland, Australia

The primary goal of this study is to develop a globally applicable framework or set of guidelines that can assist decision-makers in distinguishing the individual and combined influences of climate change and LULC change on the frequency and intensity of floods. Moreover, this framework aims to offer recommendations on the most effective types of infrastructure and suitable locations for mitigating the impacts of floods, based on the relationships between catchment physical characteristics, climate, LULC, and the effectiveness of different flood mitigation mechanisms. By utilizing this tool, governments can enhance their allocation of resources and implement policies that foster the development of strategies to enhance flood resilience. Consequently, this will safeguard lives, the environment, infrastructure, and the economy from the detrimental consequences of flooding.

Given the economic, environmental, and population significance of the South-East Queensland (SEQ) region, Australia, and its vulnerability to climate change and LULC, this region serves as an ideal case study for understanding the complex interactions between climate, land use and flood dynamics, as well as for exploring infrastructure methods (such as reservoirs and rainwater harvesting techniques) that could minimize flood impacts.

Therefore, utilizing 12 sub-basins located in the SEQ region, this project will address the following research questions:

1. How have regional LULC and meteorological factors evolved in the past, and how will they change in the future?
2. What is the individual and combined influence of climate change and LULC change on spatiotemporal flood characteristics, and which factor predominantly drives floods in these catchments?
3. Which sub-catchment(s) exhibit the most significant hydrologic and hydraulic activity and how do they contribute to the frequency and magnitude of floods in downstream areas?
4. How effective and cost-efficient are small-scale rainwater harvesting techniques (such as roof-based rainwater harvesting, surface runoff harvesting, in-ground storage, and rain gardens) and large-scale techniques (such as reservoirs) in mitigating the frequency and magnitude of floods when implemented in catchments with notable hydrologic and hydraulic activity?

By addressing these research questions, this project aims to contribute valuable insights to the field of flood management and provide practical guidance for decision-makers worldwide in their efforts to reduce flood impacts and enhance resilience in the face of climate change and LULC change.

Funding Notes

Griffith University funds both domestic and international PhD candidates on a competitive basis and is one of few institutions to offer both a tuition fee waiver and a living stipend.

To be eligible and competitive for a Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (domestic; View Website) or a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (international applicants; View Website) you need to have First Class Honours or equivalent research experience.

First-author peer-reviewed publications in international journals are advantageous.

Top-ranked candidates will be selected from among applicants to proceed to a formal PhD and scholarship application through Griffith University, with the support of the prospective supervisory team.

Applications can be received and processed year-round for our four intakes. Click here for key dates.