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The Importance of Wetlands in the Catchment
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Water and Wetlands
Wetlands are often thought of as permanent lakes and lagoons. However most inland Australian wetlands are ephemeral: they are wet for only part of the time and dry periodically The ecology of the native wetland plants and animals is adapted to this cycle of flooding and drying, and in many cases is dependent of this cycle to regenerate and sustain the broad diversity of wetland life.
These wet and dry phases are symbolised in the blue and brown bands of the working group's logo.
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Maintenance of Biodiversity
Wetlands are:
Highly diverse and productive ecosystems.
Critical for conservation of Biodiversity and ecological productivity.
The ephemeral (or temporary) nature of many inland wetlands creates a broad range of habitats which change over periodic cycles of flooding and drying. More permanent wetlands provide drought refuges for itinerant wetland fauna. Wetlands are also essential breeding and nursery areas for native fish, crustaceans and waterbirds.
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Economic Benefits
Healthy wetlands provide:
flood mitigation
water purification
groundwater replenishment
control of agricultural pests, and
forestry, fisheries, grazing and cropping opportunities.
The loss or degradation of the wetland resource within a catchment may impose significant economic costs to replace these functions. Rehabilitation of permanently flooded wetlands improves the efficiency of water supply.
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Social Benefits
Wetlands are socially important for: education, scientific research,
recreation and tourism, cultural and heritage values, landscape and aesthetic values.
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Cumulative Benefits
Wetland rehabilitation will give cumulative benefits as the ecological processes and natural values of more areas are restored, including:
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improved river water quality, -
recovery of native fisheries, -
greater recreation and tourism potential, -
enhanced scenic and aesthetic values.
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