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Citizen science
Streamwatch
Water and catchment
The water cycle

The water cycle

Author(s)

Greg McDonald
Updated

13/12/18
Read time

A minute

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Water cycle diagram

The water cycle — The water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still with us today. Image: -
© Australian Museum

water cycle

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Also in this section

Water around the world
Why is water important?
NSW catchments
Water properties
What is fresh water?
The managed water cycle
Be waterwise
Drinking Water

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Citizen Science Grant Announcement

Water and catchment

Learn about the value of water and how we manage our waterways and catchments.

Water around the world
Water cycle
Managed water cycle

Spotted Marsh Frog Life cycle, Limnodynastes tasmaniensis

Spotted Marsh Frog Life cycle

The life cycle of a Spotted Marsh Frog, Limnodynastes tasmaniensis.

Huntsman spider and its worm parasite

Gordian Worms

Gordian Worms

Metamorphic processes

Most minerals are only stable at particular temperatures and pressures, so changes in these result in the formation of new minerals.

Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii)

Striped Marsh Frog

One of the most common frogs of the eastern coast of Australia, the Striped Marsh Frog is found from northern Queensland to Tasmania.

Limnodynastes peronii

Limnodynastes tasmaniensis

Spotted Marsh Frog

The Spotted Marsh Frog is usually the first frog to colonise new dams, ditches and water-covered areas on disturbed ground.

Limnodynastes tasmaniensis

Dragonfly life cycle - Hemianax sp.

Dragonfly life cycle

Dragonflies are insects. They have three stages in their life cycle: egg - larva - adult. Adult dragonflies have a long and slender abdomen, two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs. They also have very large eyes.

Rhinella marina, Border Ranges NP

Cane Toad

The Cane Toad is tough and adaptable, as well as being poisonous throughout its life cycle, and has few predators in Australia.

Rhinella marina

Damselfly life cycle - Austrolestes sp.

Damselfly life cycle

Damselflies are insects. They have three stages in their life cycle: egg - larva - adult. They have a long and slender abdomen, two pairs of wings and three pairs of long legs. They also have very large eyes.

Scott Sisters illustrations

Butterfly and moth sketches by the Scott family

Examples from a large collection of sketches and drawings created by AW Scott and his daughters to record the appearance, habits and life cycles of the moths and butterflies they were collecting, rearing and classifying.

Cybister tripunctatus

Diving Beetle life cycle

Diving beetles are insects. They have four stages in their life cycle: egg - larva - pupa - adult. They have a streamlined shape, a pair of thin antennae and three pairs of legs. Their back legs have a thick fringe of swimming hairs.

managed water cycle

The managed water cycle

The natural water cycle has been modified by people to ensure a constant water supply and the safe disposal of wastewater.

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