Understanding vegetation dynamics in wetlands – Who’s really impacting the ecosystem?

When we think about the factors influencing wetland vegetation (think animals, water and human intervention), several characters might come to mind – like the notorious ‘Charlie Carp’, ‘Old Man Emu’, ‘Babe the Pig’, or even ‘Skippy’. But, characters aside, understanding the real drivers behind wetland vegetation dynamics is a serious business. Who/what is having the biggest impact on wetland vegetation?

Nature Glenelg Trust collaborated with Eco Futures and First Peoples Millewa Mallee (FPMMAC) to get to the heart of this question. Through field trials and germination studies, we aimed to uncover the specific impacts that the different factors (animals, water levels, or human influence) have on wetland vegetation. Several new sites were established as part of a trial project to determine the direct and indirect impacts on wetland vegetation. The main goal was to see if it’s possible to pinpoint which factors are having the greatest effect on wetland ecosystems.

So far, the results have been fascinating. The team found that each wetland site responds differently, making it clear that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. For example, at some sites, terrestrial grazing animals like kangaroos and emus are directly impacting vegetation (when the water level drops), and at others carp are having the biggest impact. The diverse results from each site offer valuable insights into how the various factors influence the health and composition of wetland vegetation communities. This tells us that each site must be managed differently, depending what factors are influencing each unique site.

Recently, NGT’s Ida Moore and Taylar Pay joined Dr Ben Gawne (Eco Futures) and his team to assist with a significant phase of the project — installing 40 gate panels in the waterways and setting up the seed bank trials.

The photo gallery below shows some pretty astounding results – noting that no vegetation has been planted in exclusion plots, they have simply been fenced!

What’s Next for the Wetland Vegetation Project?
While the trial results from the existing sites have already shown a mix of outcomes, the next phase will focus on expanding the project, extending the study to four new wetland areas. Each new site brings an opportunity to refine the research and deepen our understanding of wetland vegetation dynamics. By continuing to monitor and assess these sites, the project will contribute to the development of more effective conservation practices for wetland habitats, ensuring these areas continue to thrive for generations to come.

The question of who has the most impact on wetland vegetation may not have just one easy answer, (it is clearly quite unique to each site), so watch this space for updates as the project progresses. So far, it’s looking very likely that each wetland will need to be managed slightly differently.

This project is a joint partnership between NGT, Eco Futures and First Peoples Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Cooperation (FPMMAC).
This project was funded by The Mallee Catchment Management Authority through the Living Murray Initiative. The Living Murray is a joint initiative funded by the New South Wales, Victorian, South Australian and Commonwealth governments, coordinated by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.