Wetlands of South Australia
What are wetlands?The International Convention on Wetlands defines wetlands as: "…areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres". In South Australia, our wetlands include estuaries, ephemeral and permanent lakes and watercourses, floodplains, marshes, lagoons, swamps and freshwater springs, mudflats and mangroves, estuaries and near-shore environments including seagrass meadows and tidal systems. Why wetlands are important
Wetlands are one of our most important natural assets. They are key parts of healthy rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and near-shore coastal and marine environments. Among their many functions they:
South Australia has already lost 70% of its wetlands, therefore the conservation, sustainable management and restoration of the remaining wetlands is a key natural resource management issue across the State. Wetland ecosystems and biodiversityA biome is a simplified but biogeographically unique collation of ecological communities, which contain similar patterns of climate, vegetation, and habitat modification. South Australia contains three biomes (see No Species Loss - a biodiversity strategy for South Australia) each with unique types of wetlands which reflect the different biological and physical processes within the landscape. Arid Biome
Comprising 87% of South Australia, the hot dry climate and variably low rainfall creates wetlands with extreme temporal and spatial variability. Many wetland types are dependent on flooding events arising from tropical incursions, and a good proportion are wet only once each decade. The arid biome has been impacted least by habitat modification, such that ephemeral rivers are still largely unregulated and unaffected by introduced species. Wetland types include ephemeral rivers and waterholes, semi-permanent fresh-water lakes, playas, floodplains, flood outs, and Great Artesian Basin Springs.
Mediterranean Biome
A cool to warm climate associated with reliable winter rain provides for water dependent ecosystems with a higher degree of permanence. This includes watercourses and rivers, marshes, swamps, lakes, ponds, floodplains and samphire flats. The Mediterranean biome has been subject to high levels of habitat modification and land-use change; only 30% of the known areal wetland extent remains. Fourteen wetlands surveyed are considered to be nationally important by meeting the ANZECC criteria of being a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia. These wetlands include Englebrook Reserve at Bridgewater, and the bogs within Cleland Conservation Park. Four wetlands are recommended for monitoring; these are Parafield Wetlands, Englebrook Reserve, Washpool Lagoon and Eurilla Bog. Marine Biome
South Australian near-shore marine environments are productive and diverse, but relatively susceptible to human-induced change. Examples of wetlands include: mangrove, sea grass, mud-flat and estuarine habitats in low energy environments; and sandy beaches, rocky platforms and monuments seen along high-energy coasts and off-shore islands. Demand for coastal real estate and its subsequent disturbance presents challenges for the conservation of these ecosystems. Few remain in pristine condition.
Wetlands Strategy for South Australia
The Wetlands Strategy sits within a framework of international, national and state-wide legislation, policies and programs. It uses these to establish a goal for wetlands management that is supported by several cornerstone principles and objectives. The Wetlands Strategy provides direction for the State and Regional Natural Resource Management Plans. The latter are a key delivery mechanism for goals and objectives identified in the Wetlands Strategy. The Wetlands Strategy for South Australia was launched on World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2003. The Strategy embraces all aspects of wetland management and sets down a 'blueprint' for improving wetland management across South Australia.
Goals and ObjectivesThe goal of the Strategy is to see wetlands recognised and managed as ecological and community assets for the benefit of present and future generations. The objectives of the Strategy are:
Further InformationView the Wetlands Strategy (1.2Mb PDF). Please note: there are no longer any hard copies of the Wetlands Strategy available. The South Australian Protected Areas Network contains a number of significant wetlands. The management of these sites is documented in Management Plans for parks and reserves in South Australia. If you require any further information please email: Belinda McGrath-Steer (Senior Scientific Officer, Wetlands).
International Convention on Wetlands, Ramsar
The Ramsar Convention's mission statement is, 'the conservation and wise use of wetlands, by national action and international cooperation as a means to achieving sustainable development throughout the world.' As a signatory to this treaty Australia is required to nominate wetlands of international importance and ensure the wise use of all wetlands. Site Management Plans are developed for the nominated wetlands to ensure their wise use. The concept of 'wise use' is central to all aspects of the Ramsar Convention and endorses the sustainable utilization (of wetlands) for the benefit of mankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem. The broad aim of the Convention on Wetlands is to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve those that remain through wise use and management. This requires international cooperation, policy making, capacity building and technology transfer. View 'The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands' website at http://www.ramsar.org. View the 'Ramsar Sites Database' on the 'Wetlands International' website and follow the instructions at http://www.wetlands.org/RSDB/Default.htm. Ramsar in AustraliaAustralia currently has 64 Wetlands of International Importance that cover a total of approximately 7.3 million ha. Australia seeks to protect these wetlands through a range of activities including appropriate legislation and policy frameworks, development and implementation of site management plans, and community education and awareness programs. View a map of Australia's Ramsar listed wetlands at: http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/pubs/ramsar.pdf Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 established a legislative framework that allows the Commonwealth to manage environmental protection through an assessment and approvals process; and biodiversity conservation through species and site listing, recovery and management planning. Under the Act, which came into effect in July 2000, any action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of National Environmental Significance (NES) is required to undergo an assessment and approvals process. Matters of NES cover a range of issues, such as Ramsar wetlands and migratory species listed under international treaties such as the Australian agreements with Japan (JAMBA) and China (CAMBA) and the Bonn Convention. The Act also provides a process for the designation and management of Ramsar wetlands. The Australian Ramsar Management Principles (ARMPs) have been developed under regulations to help guide the management of Ramsar wetlands. South Australia supports two wetland communtiies listed as matters of National Environmental Significance. These are the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) Springs located in an arc close to the outer boundary of the GAB and the ground-water dependent swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula. View The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Ramsar Wetlands in South AustraliaIn South Australia, there are five Wetlands of International Importance as designated under the Ramsar Convention. These wetlands are listed below. The Coorong, and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland, Ramsar Site
35°56'S 139°18'E, near the mouth of the Murray River This wetland forms at the terminus of the longest and largest river in Australia. It incorporates 23 different types of wetlands which range from freshwater to hypersaline, from dense vegetation to open water and from temporary to permanently inundated land. The patchiness of these habitat complexes and their capacity to adapt to seasonal variations in water regime allows the Coorong and Lakes to support a suite of nationally and internationally significant flora and fauna. The site meets 8 nomination criteria specified by the Ramsar Convention. It covers an area of approximately 140,500 ha, most of which is Crown Land and National Park.
The site provides habitat for nationally threatened species such as the Orange-bellied Parrot, Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-Wren, the Murray Hardyhead, Hooded Plover, Freckled Duck, Southern Pygmy Perch, the Murray Cod and the Southern Bell Frog. The site also contains the critically endangered 'Swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula' as well as the threatened Gahnia sedgeland ecosystem and a number of threatened plant species such as the Metallic sun-orchid. A diverse range of waterbirds visit the wetland, particularly in summer and it is an important breeding site for the Australian Pelican, Crested Tern, Fairy Tern, and the Rufous Night Heron. The wetland system is valued for its conservation and scenic attributes and is used for outdoor recreational pursuits including wildlife observation. It is estimated that the area receives in excess of 200,000 visitors per year.The area, and particularly the Coorong, is noted for its extensive Aboriginal (traditional and archaeological), historic and geological sites and the Ngarrindjeri people continue to have a close association with the area. A document that describes the site values and Ecological character of the Coorong, Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland of International Importance will soon be available as a live link. This document contributes to the development of the Ramsar Management Plan for the site (currently under review).
Ecological Character Description ReportThe Ecological Character Description of the Coorong, Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland of International Importance was released by Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) in November 2006. A description of the ecological character is the cornerstone of management for a Ramsar site. It provides information about the site's values and what is needed to maintain or improve those values. It helps the development of a monitoring and reporting framework, necessary to report the ongoing health of the Ramsar site. See the report for Ecological Character Description - Coorong, Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland of International Importance. Please note that some of these files are large and may take time to download.
Coorong and Lower Lakes Habitat Mapping ProjectThe habitat mapping project identifies and maps the types of habitats within the Ramsar area, for example, mud flats, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, cliffs and all vegetation associations. These habitats are mapped using Geographical Information Software (GIS) and information about the habitat is recorded by entering information into a GIS database. See Report (6.2Mb PDF) for more information. Additional reports relating to the ecology of the site can be found
below: Email: Russell Seaman Bool and Hacks Lagoons Ramsar Site37°08'S 140°41'E, 393 km southeast of the city of Adelaide and 24 km south of the town of Naracoorte. Bool and Hacks Lagoons are freshwater wetlands that comprise a number of semi-permanent lagoons characterised by shallow, circular swamps and creeks. The site has an area of 3200 ha and is designated as a Game Reserve (Bool Lagoon) and Conservation Park (Hacks Lagoon). The wetlands act as a buffer storage basin in the regional drainage system and provide significant breeding habitat and drought refuge for waterbirds.
This Ramsar site is one of the most important wetland areas remaining in the southeast of South Australia and contains important examples of floristic diversity and a number of regionally threatened wetland vegetation associations. It is a wetland of national importance for colonial nesting birds (ANCA, 1996) and hosts the largest Ibis rookery in South Australia. In total, 79 species of waterbirds have been recorded in the area, including the State Vulnerable Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus and Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa. Population counts have proven difficult due to the vegetative cover, however, duck numbers are believed to vary between 15,000 and 50,000 and Black Swan numbers between 1,000 and 5,000. The Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis and Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca are common in the nesting season and numbers often exceed 50,000. The area is becoming increasingly popular for recreational visitor use and wildlife observation and it is estimated that approximately 16,000 people per year visit the wetland. The development of the combined Ramsar and Park Management Plan is in the final stages and will be released mid 2006. Riverland Ramsar Site
34°02'S 140°51'E, Adjacent to the Murray River between Renmark and the Victorian and New South Wales borders. The Riverland Ramsar site is approximately 30,600 ha in size and is recognised for the heterogeneity of its vegetation associations and wetland types. The site is located in a semi-arid environment which is absolutely dependent on the riparian influence of the River Murray, its backwaters and anabranches. The habitat complexity is a symptom of the bio-physical variability and the frequency of inundation (which is now highly regulated). The wetlands are part of the large Murray-Darling Basin and consist of a variety of wetland types, such as channels, anabranches, billabongs, floodplains, swamps and lakes in semi-natural condition. These wetlands specifically include Coombool Swamp, Lake Limbra, Lake Merreti, Ral Ral Creek, a section of the Murray River, Woolenook Bend's, Horshoe Lagoon and Murray River backwater. The lower Murray River system, including the Riverland Ramsar site, is a major centre for breeding waterbirds in southeastern Australia. The State Vulnerable Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus, Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa and Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus are among the birds that visit the area. The area is also important for its unique large stands of native River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis forest, which border the creeks and backwaters, providing excellent wildlife habitat. The wetlands are popular for outdoor recreation, such as boating, canoeing, camping, fishing, and wildlife observation. The Management Plan for the Riverland Ramsar site is currently being developed. Coongie Lakes Ramsar Site27°27'S 140°00'E, near the town of Innamincka, in the far northeast of South Australia
The Coongie Lakes Ramsar site is a mosaic of floodplain and dunefield features approximately 1,980,000 ha in size which is located on the Cooper Creek floodplain. The Cooper Creek is recognised as one of the largest unregulated river catchments in the world Part of the area is protected by the Coongie Lakes National Park, which sits inside the the Innamincka Regional Reserve established under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. The rest of the site is held as a Pastoral Lease area that is state-owned and managed by the Department for Environment and Heritage. The site is an extensive system of freshwater wetlands, including lakes, interdune corridors, channels, playas, floodplains and swamps. Water for these systems is most commonly associated with flooding events in Queensland that send flow down the Cooper Creek via the Coongie Lakes enroute to Lake Eyre. The Coongie Lakes are a cluster of five semi-permanent lakes which fill during flow events along the north-west branch of the Cooper Creek. When wet these incredibly productive habitats provide the resources to support huge changes in the abundance. Waterfowl have been known to breed in their hundreds of thousands; among them the vulnerable Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa. The wetland also contains an undescribed and probably endemic species of freshwater tortoise Emydura sp. Coongie Lakes is becoming increasingly important for recreation and tourism. The wetland area contains extensive Aboriginal archaeological sites and a number of important European historical sites. A draft Management Plan for the wetlands titled 'Coongie Lakes Ramsar Wetlands: A Plan for Wise Use' (1.5Mb PDF) was released in 1999.
Banrock Station Wetland Complex Ramsar Site34°11' S 140°20'E, River Murray floodplain, opposite the township of Overland Corner, 26 km north west of Berri.
Banrock Station Wetland Complex lies on the floodplain adjacent to the River Murray. The total area of the Ramsar site is 1,375 ha, which includes 1,068 ha floodplain wetland and 307 ha of an open mallee- box woodland buffer. It is the first internationally important wetland site to be designated in South Australia that is entirely located on private land. The management of the Wetland Complex is the responsibility of BRL Hardy Wine Company. Banrock Swamp is a floodplain wetland that was restored in 1992 when actions were taken to reinstate wetting and drying cycles that are semi-natural and intermittent. Banrock Swamp is now one of only 20 sites in the Lower River Murray that has been returned to a near-natural hydrological regime.
The Wetland Complex is used extensively for recreation and tourism and is the subject of a range of scientific research. Wetlands of National significanceNationally significant wetlands are listed in 'A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia'. The criteria for determining nationally significant wetlands were agreed upon by the ANZECC Wetlands Network in 1994. A wetland may be considered nationally important if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
There are over 850 nationally significant wetlands in Australia. South Australia has nominated 84 of these. Wetland Inventory is ongoing and many wetlands remain to be assessed or recognised as internationally or nationally important. A list of South Australia's nationally significant wetlands can be found here: View 'A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (2001, 3rd Edition) on the Commonwealth Government's 'Department of the Environment and Heritage' website. South Australian Wetland Inventories and Mapping
A series of wetland inventories have been completed at regional scale in South Australia and a number are currently underway. Funding has been provided by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, the Natural Heritage Trust and regional Natural Resource Management Boards. One of the significant outcomes of a wetland inventory is the identification of wetlands that meet the criteria necessary for 'A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia' (DIWA) and the recognition and inclusion of wetlands in land-use planning, NRM and management planning practices. If you require further information please contact: Belinda McGrath-Steer. Fleurieu Peninsula
This inventory provides detailed comprehensive information on the location, condition, threats and conservation value of wetlands throughout the Fleurieu Peninsula. Detailed mapping of wetlands was completed for the entire study region, and data collected was analysed to identify wetlands of high ecological significance across the Fleurieu Peninsula. A total of 858 wetland bodies were mapped from rectified aerial photography on the Fleurieu Peninsula as part of the wetland inventory.Through this procedure, a total of 138 wetlands were inventoried, and an additional 134 wetlands were ground-truthed. Management priorities were also identified, where wetlands of high significance that were also threatened by various processes were selected for targeted conservation action in the future. See Fleurieu Peninsula Wetlands Inventory 2005. Please note that some of these files are large and may take time to download.
Mount Lofty Ranges
Fourteen wetlands surveyed are considered to be nationally important by meeting the DIWA criteria of being a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia. Lower South East The Lower South East Wetland Inventory (7.25Mb PDF) was undertaken to collate and refine knowledge of wetland extent, biophysical character, condition and threats and to thereby provide direction for wetland conservation in the region. The study involved the collection of spatial and textural wetland data that significantly improves upon and previous investigations in the region. Data has been interpreted to identify those wetlands of significance at the international, national, state and regional levels, providing focus for future wetland conservation efforts in the region.
Kangaroo Island
Sixteen wetlands surveyed are considered to be nationally important by meeting the DIWA criteria of being a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia.
Northern Agricultural Districts
The Wetland Inventory for the Northern Agricultural Districts (600Kb PDF) documents a representative sample of inland wetlands by recording their physical, chemical and biological attributes. Twenty-nine wetlands were surveyed during November 2000; the majority of these wetlands included saline lake systems and brackish water bodies. Nelshaby Reserve (north-east of Port Pirie) was the only freshwater wetland surveyed. A number of wetlands examined are considered to be nationally important as they meet the DIWA criteria of being a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia.
Eyre Peninsula
Several wetlands surveyed are considered to be nationally important as they meet the DIWA criteria of being a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia. These wetlands include the saline lake systems within Lincoln National Park and Lake Newland Conservation Park. Channel Country
The far north-eastern corner of South Australia contains a highly significant collection of wetlands that are largely dependent on water from cross-border flows within the Lake Eyre Basin. The Cooper and Diamantina catchments remain two of the best examples of unregulated ephemeral wetland systems at national and international scale. Also within the region are the Coongie Lakes and their associated floodplains, they have been recognised under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance. The areal extents and inundation frequencies of the wetlands have not previously been examined in detail. The mapping for this region uses a temporal series of satellite images to identify wetland extent and flooding frequency. The attached report (9.5Mb PDF) provides ecological context to the study and describes the project methodology. Proposed Temporary Pomanda Island Weir near WellingtonThe Department for Environment and Heritage has been asked to manage the Commonwealth environmental impact assessment process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for the operation of the proposed temporary Pomanda Island Weir near Wellington on behalf of the Government. The temporary weir is only one of the options currently under consideration by the Government as part of a contingency plan to secure water for urban centres across South Australia should the current drought Murray-Darling River catchment continue into the second half of the year. It is important to distinguish between the impact of the drought and the specific impact of constructing the weir. Because of the drought conditions, water levels will drop substantially regardless of the weir being constructed. Thus it is anticipated that many of the environmental impacts will be a result of the lack of water due to drought and diversions, not the weir itself. The environmental impact assessment will address the major issues relating to biodiversity and conservation that might arise from reducing flows to the Lower Lakes and Coorong. It will help the Government to manage the operations of the weir in a way that minimises impact on the environment and gets the best possible environmental outcomes should construction of the weir be necessary. The SA Government forwarded a referral of proposed action (350Mb PDF) to the Commonwealth Government in early June. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 requires that information on referrals to be published at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl. Additional information on the proposed temporary weir is also available at: http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/rivercond/index.html#ProposedTemporaryWeir. On 6 September 2007 the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Water Resources provided the South Australian government the final Environmental Impact Statement guidelines (PDF). Once the draft EIS has been prepared, the SA Government needs to seek approval by the Commonwealth Minister to publish it, together with an invitation for anyone to provide comments within a period that the Commonwealth Minister will specify. The minimum period for public comment is 20 days. |
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The
Wetlands Strategy for South Australia provides a framework for achieving
ecologically sustainable development of our wetland ecosystems.
It is currently placed under the State NRM Act and demonstrates
the South Australian commitment to bring together wetland management
and groundwater and surface water management at state, regional
and local levels. 
In
February 1971, representatives of 18 nations, including Australia,
met in the Iranian city of Ramsar to adopt an intergovernmental
treaty known as 'The Convention on Wetlands' or popularly known
as the 'Ramsar Convention'. There are now 152 contracting parties
to this treaty. The Ramsar Convention recognises the value of wetlands,
particularly as waterbird habitats, and aims to protect these assets.
The
floodplain wetlands are dominated by lignum and sedge with expanses
of open water. Adjoining is an open mallee-box woodland community
which provides habitat for a breeding population of the Regent Parrot
Polytelis anthopeplus - a species listed as vulnerable
nationally and within South Australia. Approximately 159 bird species,
including several migratory species have been observed at the site.
During dry periods the swamp acts as a drought refuge. 
Wetland
Inventories are field-based projects that provide information about
the ecological, biological and hydrological attributes of wetlands.
They commonly involve mapping, which helps to resolve the spatial
extents of wetlands in the study area. Inventories can be undertaken
at a range of different scales (national, regional, catchment, site,
habitat), which reflect the accuracy and specificity of the data
required. In most cases, baseline data is collected and used in
conjunction with as many existing data sources as possible. Wetland
inventory data informs policy and assists planning and decision
making. 
The
Fleurieu Peninsula wetland inventory builds upon wetland inventory
projects of varying scales already completed within South Australia
and importantly, provides updated methods, survey protocols and
a specifically designed database.
During
November and December 2000 a wetland inventory was undertaken on
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