Wetlands
"A wetland is land that is saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic vegetation and various kinds of biological activity which are adapted to a wet environment.
Are important habitats that provide homes for many endangered species and that they help to control floods and filter some pollutants.
LOCATION
Victoria has 10 wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (commonly called the Ramsar Convention).
These sites are covered by fresh or salt water and support diverse vegetation, bird and wildlife and include: * Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula * Western District Lakes * Lake Albacutya * Hattah Lakes * Gunbower Island * Kerang Lakes * Barmah Forest * Gippsland Lakes * Corner Inlet * Western Port
FAUNA * Of the three types of wetlands, marshes seem to have more animal life. It is easy to find muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) and Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in these very productive habitats. Great Blue Heron standing on Muskrat |
Productivity is usually defined as the amount of biomass,or living tissue, that an ecosystem produces over a period of time. |
FLORA cattails, bulrushes, sedges, Arrowhead, Water Lilies (Yellow and White, Blue Flag, and 'floaters' like Common Duckweed. Not so easily seen are the submergent plants like pondweed and Canada Waterweed. White Water Lily. | |
Arrowhead | | wetlands are also at risk because of non-native, invasive plants such as Purple Loosestrife and the Common Reed.
Low shrub cover composed mostly of Leatherleaf with smaller numbers of Sweet Gale, Labrador Tea and others.
Below this more visible layer is a carpet of peat mosses.
CHANGE
About 30% of Victoria's original wetland area has been drained, mostly so the land can be used for agriculture. Other changes that result from civilisation
Are important habitats that provide homes for many endangered species and that they help to control floods and filter some pollutants.
LOCATION
Victoria has 10 wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (commonly called the Ramsar Convention).
These sites are covered by fresh or salt water and support diverse vegetation, bird and wildlife and include: * Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula * Western District Lakes * Lake Albacutya * Hattah Lakes * Gunbower Island * Kerang Lakes * Barmah Forest * Gippsland Lakes * Corner Inlet * Western Port
FAUNA * Of the three types of wetlands, marshes seem to have more animal life. It is easy to find muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) and Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in these very productive habitats. Great Blue Heron standing on Muskrat |
Productivity is usually defined as the amount of biomass,or living tissue, that an ecosystem produces over a period of time. |
FLORA cattails, bulrushes, sedges, Arrowhead, Water Lilies (Yellow and White, Blue Flag, and 'floaters' like Common Duckweed. Not so easily seen are the submergent plants like pondweed and Canada Waterweed. White Water Lily. | |
Arrowhead | | wetlands are also at risk because of non-native, invasive plants such as Purple Loosestrife and the Common Reed.
Low shrub cover composed mostly of Leatherleaf with smaller numbers of Sweet Gale, Labrador Tea and others.
Below this more visible layer is a carpet of peat mosses.
CHANGE
About 30% of Victoria's original wetland area has been drained, mostly so the land can be used for agriculture. Other changes that result from civilisation