Goldfields Revegetation Wetlands
What is a wetland?
Wetlands are areas of permanent or seasonal water. They can be swamps,
billabongs, rivers, creeks or lakes.
Each wetland contains its own
plant and animal communities which depend on being under water
permanently or periodically. In Central and Northern Victoria, wetlands fall into two distinct
types:
- Rivers, creeks and drainage lines of Central Victoria
- Shallow lakes
and swamps of the northern plains
Click here to see a list of plants suitable for wetlands or aquatic planting.
Artificial wetlands have been used as biological filters for decades
to clean water by removing fine sediment in addition to
nutrients such as phosphate.
With suitable design and management they can also remove iron, heavy
metals and other industrial pollutants.
While expert advice may be necessary to design a wetland for the
removal of industrial pollutants, any wetland will improve the quality
of water passed through it, with obvious benefit to the environment.
How can I restore or establish a wetland?
Before establishing/re-establishing the indigenous aquatic plant
community, it is desirable to remove any inappropriate weeds.
If any earth works are conducted, particularly for the construction
of a dam or establishment of a new wetland or biological filter,
topsoil must be kept separate and spread on the surface before flooding.
Adding suitable nutrients such as blood and bone and organic matter
will assist in producing healthy vigorous plant growth. How do I plant wetland plants?
Wetland plants depend on being in water, some all the time and others
seasonally. Therefore they should only be planted when the area has
water in it.
This is normally the case in spring but may be achieved
at other times with extra watering. Some plants are planted into
wet ground, while others are planted under water.
|