The Wetlands Centre Ecosystem

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The Wetlands CentreEcosystem
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Ecology of Wetlands

• Definition
• Types
• Function
• Values
• Issues

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Definition

• areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether
  natural or artificial, permanernt 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.

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Some Wetland Types

• Upland Wetlands
• Floodplain Wetlands
• Estuarine Wetlands
• Sedge Swamps
• Coastal Lagoons
• Reed Marshes

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Upland Wetland

• High altitudes
• Specific soils
• Fed by melting snows and spring rains
• Feed water through streams to plains

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Estuarine Wetland

• Coastal
• Saline /Brackish
• Fisheries Habitat
• Migratory wader habitat

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Mangroves.

• Tidal Influence
• Supporting Root Structure
• Pneumataphores
• Excess Salt
• Vivaparous seeds

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Sedge Swamps

• Specific vegetation
• Shallow
• Sporadic water
• Adaptations to drying out

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Coastal Lagoon

• Inland side of dunes
• Salinity determines the vegetation
• Protect ocean from nutrient and pollutant runoff
• Dunes may breakdown and drain lagoon

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Wetlands Centre

• Freshwater ponds
• Disturbed site
• Reed marsh
• Paperbark forest

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The Wetlands Centre was established for...

• Restoration of wetland habitat
• Conservation of bird and animal species
• Community and school education
• Pasive recreation opportunities
• Scientific Research

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Hexham Swamp
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Kooragang Island
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Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project

• Fisheries restoration
• Replanting rainforest
• Demonstrating sustainable farming
• Wetland management

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Wetland Values...

• Biodiversity
• Breeding and nursery sites
• Hydrology
• Nutrient recycling
• Education
• Research
• Recreation

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Wetland Ecology

• Each aquatic ecosystem is unique and is
  identified by the inter-action of plants,
  animals, soil and water.

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Wetland plants..

• Adaptations to cope with aerobic (hydric) soils
• Various growth habits
• Limited by water depth

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Wetland animals...

• Diverse
• In and adjacent to water
• Food
• Protection

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Macroinvertebrates..

• Water quality indicator
• Adaptations for movement and air collection

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Birds...

• Over 200 species visit the Wetlands Centre
  annually
• Bill and feet adaptations for feeding
• Different requirements

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Migratory waders...
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Breeding
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Research
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Total Catchment Management

• TCM is the co- ordinated management of land,
  water, vegetation and other natural resources in
  a catchment. It takes into account the
  relationships between human activity, and its
  impact on the resources in a catchment. The aim
  of TCM is to achieve sustainable management of
  resources.

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Threats

• Excess nutrients
• Pollutants
• Conflicting land use
• Development

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