Realising the Potential: Connectivity and Carbon Storage in NSW Coastal Wetlands

Up to 70% of the Wetlands that make up the NSW Coast have been altered or removed in the past 200 years but only now are we starting to realise the importance of wetlands in the water cycle. Wetlands process, retain and filter rainfall as it makes its way through our floodplains, creeks, rivers and estuaries into the sea.

The decline of our wetlands can be attributed to poor catchment management practices, land reclamation, pollution and development and now climate variability is likely to put further pressure on these fragile and important environments. Community involvement in identifying vulnerable areas and implementing rehabilitation measures will assist in restoring wetland function and help the remaining wetlands adapt into the future.

THE SOUTH EAST WETLAND CARERS NETWORK

The South East Wetland Carers Network (SEWCN) is a partnership driven by South East Local Land Services, WetlandCare Australia and Conservation Volunteers that aims to protect and restore 1000 ha of coastal wetlands to act as bio diverse carbon stores. Working with NRM partner agencies, landholders and community groups we will initiate targeted delivery of on ground work and educational opportunities in the South East LLS region incorporating the 32 priority wetlands identified in the South East LLS Catchment Action Plan 2023.

Funded by the Australian Government over 4 years, the drive is to strengthen the habitat resilience and health, increase knowledge and skills and monitor the changes over this period with a focus on increasing regional areas capacity to adaptively manage change and build resilience to climate variability.

WHY OUR WETLANDS?

There are a number of wetland classifications for our coastal zone; they include swamp forests, saltmarsh, mangroves and seagrass beds. Additional to the environmental value of our wetlands, the social and economic values cannot be overlooked. The recreational use of wetland areas for fishing, kayaking, boating and walking as well as the reliance of commercial operations such as seafood and tourism illustrate the broad impact losing wetlands could pose.

Wetlands aren’t only important to us; there is a vast array of life that depends upon them for food and shelter. Wetlands provide habitat for fish, molluscs, crabs, bats and birds, saltmarsh is used by invertebrates and juvenile fish as sea grass beds provide food and shelter at this highly vulnerable stage of their life cycle.

Wetlands also have an important role to play in the ever present threat of climate change. While wetlands only make up a small percentage of our earth’s surface, it has been estimated that up to 35% of terrestrial carbon is stored within wetlands. Being that coastal and estuarine wetlands have one of the highest primary productivities on earth, combined with our current climate variability, it is all the more important to protect and restore these areas.

AREAS OF FOCUS

The major focus of the SEWCN is 32 priority wetlands outlined in the South East LLS Catchment Action Plan 2023. From Bellambi Lagoon in the North to Wonboyn Lake in the South, we will be providing opportunities on private and public land to protect, restore and repair wetlands. These wetlands have been identified as regionally significant due to the presence of flora and fauna contained within the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Protection of Endangered Ecological Communities, ie. Coastal Saltmarsh, Littoral Rainforest, Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest and River Flat Eucalyptus Forrest, is vitally important to stabilising and increasing the resilience of the wetlands. Not to forget the vast array of fauna that calls these areas home, such as the endangered Green and Golden Bell frog, Hooded Plovers and Little Terns to name a few. Increasing habitat condition for our resident fauna as well as our migratory species, many of which are listed under various international agreements, will provide us with great opportunity to know and understand the changes occurring in our coastal wetland systems.

WHAT THREATS ARE OUR TARGET?

While there is any number of threats to our wetlands, our major focus in this project will be:

Invasive Weed Control
Reduction of grazing and trampling by livestock
Feral animal control
Reduction of barriers to flow
Connectivity

Through the development and evolution of the Wetland Carers Network, on ground initiatives are well underway on key sites across the Illawarra and expressions of interest are being considered for private lands along the coast.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Conservation Volunteers is currently running project days each week where people can get involved and help in the restoration and protection of our wetlands throughout the Illawarra. We are actively pursuing volunteers through a number of channels and are encouraging a broad spectrum of people to get involved and become more aware of the plight of our wetlands.

Over the coming months, volunteers can get involved in vegetation monitoring, weed removal, bird surveys and water quality testing. A number of training opportunities and workshops will also be open to all people involved in wetland rehabilitation projects. You can book online at: http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/about-us/our-partnerships/wetland-carers-network-south-coast-nsw

If you would like more information on this project, please contact Adam Woods: awoods@conservationvolunteers.com.au or call 02 4228 9246

If you are a private landholder who would like more information, please contact Kirsti Sampson: Kirsti.sampson@lls.nsw.gov.au or call 02 4475 1004

All the photos below were taken by Adam Woods in the South East region.