Water for the environment: wetlands - Native Wetland Plants found in NSW Wetlands

Water for the environment: wetlands

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The Native Plants of NSW Wetlands

What is a Waterplant?
Why are Waterplants Important?
Activities that cause the loss of wetland plants in NSW
Threatened Species
Common Types of Waterplants
Prolific Plant Growth
References & Further Reading

What is a Waterplant?

Waterplants can generally be defined as plants that thrive and flower in soil that is saturated for long periods. However, it should be noted that this definition is not completely satisfactory as there are always exceptions that fall outside this definition. For example, some plants such as the Common Reed (Phragmites australis), will grow in damp pasture land where soil is not saturated.¹

Wetland plants have adapted to growing in saturated soils by virtue of large internal air spaces allowing transportation of oxygen to the roots and rhizomes. This oxygen is not only needed for respiration in the root or rhizome (an underground portion of a stem), but the leakage of oxygen prevents toxins from accumulating in the root zone under saturated conditions.¹

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Why are Waterplants Important?

There are about 600 species of waterplants in Australia. Most of these are uncommon species that play a small but very important part in increasing diversity in a wetland.

Waterplants are also important as they can reduce erosion by reducing flow rates and trapping suspended sediments. They add dissolved oxygen to the water and are a direct source of food for aquatic animals. They strip nutrients from the water, and compete with bloom-forming algae for nutrients. They also provide habitat for the breeding of some aquatic animals.

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Activities that cause the loss of wetland plants in NSW

There are many activities that cause waterplant decline in NSW. They include: river regulation and the associated changes in water regimes, water extraction, drainage and flooding of wetlands for agricultural or other activities, clearing and draining, and the introduction of pest species such as carp and aquatic weeds.

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Threatened Species

A few water plants are listed as endangered or vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. These plants and their habitats are afforded special consideration in planning decisions under this legislation.

For further information on status and management of plants listed in this legislation, please contact the NSW NPWS or visit their website.

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Common Types of Waterplants

It is often useful to divide water plants into groups based upon their habitat (the environment in which a plant grows naturally) and growth form (Sainty & Jacobs, 1994). The following four groups are commonly used. Please select a group to view and read more about some of the plants that are commonly found in the wetlands of NSW.

Emergent Plants that tolerate flooding (Trees & Shrubs)

Emergent Plants

Submerged Plants

Floating Plants: Free Floating & Floating Attached

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Prolific Plant Growth

Some free-floating aquatic plants that may form scums are sometimes confused with blue-green algal blooms. Common examples are:

Azolla

Source: Simon Mitrovic

A free floating fern up to 1 cm wide and 3 cm long. Plants can be green or red depending upon exposure to the sun. Usually red in summer and autumn. They often cover large areas of the water surface. They are most common in slow moving, nutrient enriched waters.

Duckweeds

Source: Simon Mitrovic

Duckweeds are small native plants that often cover large areas of the water surface. They look like a green mat and can be confused with algal scum until closer examination. If lifted out of the water the plants may have small roots. They are most common in slow moving, nutrient enriched waters. They are an important source of food for waterbirds. Examples include Spirodela sp. (the small green plant pictured here), Wolffia spp. and Lemna spp.

Please click here for more information on Algal blooms and other prolific plant growth.

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References & Further Reading

Boulton, A. J. and Brock, M. A (1999). Australian Freshwater Ecology: Processes and Management. Gleneagles Publishing Adelaide.

Brock, Margaret. A (1997) Are there seeds in your wetland? Assessing wetland vegetation. LWRRDC and UNE.

Brock, Margaret. A (2000) How do water regime and grazing alter the reproductive capacity of aquatic plants?. LWRRDC, UNE, DLWC & EA.

Brock, M. A. and Casanova, M. T. (1997). "Plant life at the edges of wetlands: ecological responses to wetting and drying patterns". In Frontiers in ecology: Building the Links. Eds N. Klomp and I. Lunt, Elsevier Science, Oxford.

Brock, M. A. (1998). "Understanding plant germination, establishment and reproduction for wetland revegetation". Pp 131 - 137 In Wetlands in a Dry Land: Understanding and Management. Eds W.D. Williams, Environment Australia..

Brock, M. A. (1998). "Are temporary wetlands resilient? Evidence from seed banks of Australian and South African wetlands". Pp 193 - 206 In McComb A.J. and Davis, J.A. (Eds) Wetlands for the Future. Gleneagles Press, Adelaide, Australia.

Brock, M. A. (1998). "Are aquatic plant seed banks resilient to water regime alteration? Implications for the Paroo River System. Pp 1129 - 138 In Kingsford, R.T. (Ed) Free Flowing River: the ecology of the Paroo River. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney.

Brock, M. A., Smith, R.G.B. and Jarman, P.J. (1999). Drain it, dam it: alteration of water regime in shallow wetlands on the New England Tableland of NSW. Wetlands Ecology and Management 7: 37-46.

Brock, Margaret. A and Casanova, Michelle. T. (2000) Are there plants in your wetland? Revegetating wetlands. LWRRDC, UNE, DLWC & EA.

Brock, Margaret. A., Casanova, Michelle. T. and Berridge, Sally, M. (2000) Does your wetland flood and dry? Water regime and wetland plants. LWRRDC, UNE, DLWC & EA.

Brock, M.A. and Jarman, P.J. (In press). Wetland use and conservation the agricultural environment: Management of processes rather than components. In Nature Conservation in Production Environments. Eds J. Craig and D. Saunders.

Casanova, M.T. and Brock, M.A. (2000). How do depth, duration and frequency of flooding influence the establishment of wetland plant communities? Plant Ecology 147: 237 - 250.

Crossle, K. and Brock, M.A. (in prep). Water regime, propagule type and plant species richness: the importance of dry times for wetlands.

Jacobs, S. W. L. 1983. Vegetation. In "Wetlands in New South Wales". (Ed C. Haigh). National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW.
^{1 Sainty, G. and Beharrell, M. 1998. Wetland
Plants. In "The Constructed Wetlands Manual. Volume 1".
Department of Land and Water Conservation, NSW.
Sainty, G. R. and Jacobs, S.W.L. (1981) Waterplants of
New South Wales. Water Resources Commission, Sydney.
Sainty, G. R. and Jacobs, S.W.L. (1994) Waterplants in
Australia. Edn. 3. Sainty and Associates, Sydney.
Cunningham, G et al 1981, Plants of Western New South
Wales, NSW Govt. Printing, Sydney.

Harden, G, Ed. 1991, Flora of New South Wales, NSW University
Press, Sydney.
Leck, M.A. and Brock, M.A. (2000) Ecological and
evolutionary trends in wetlands: Evidence from seeds and seed banks in New
South Wales, Australia and New Jersey, USA. Plant Species Biology 15:
97-112.
Roberts, J. and Marston, F. (2000). Water regime of
wetland and floodplain plants in the Murray-Darling Basin. CSIRO Land
and Water, Canberra. Technical Report, 30/00.
Roberts, J., Young, W. and Marston, F. (2000). Estimating
the water requirements of plants of the floodplain wetlands: a guide.
Land and Water Research and Development Corporation, Canberra. Occassional
Paper, 04/00.
Warwick, N.W.M. and Brock, M.A. (in prep). The effect
of timing, depth and duration of flooding on the growth and reproduction in
wetland plants.}

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Copyright © 2000 - NSW Department of Natural Resources
www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au

Wetlands Facts About Wetlands Wetland Plants and Animals Native Plants Search: [ HOME ] [ CONTACT ]		The Native Plants of NSW Wetlands What is a Waterplant? Why are Waterplants Important? Activities that cause the loss of wetland plants in NSW Threatened Species Common Types of Waterplants Prolific Plant Growth References & Further Reading *What is a Waterplant?* Waterplants can generally be defined as plants that thrive and flower in soil that is saturated for long periods. However, it should be noted that this definition is not completely satisfactory as there are always exceptions that fall outside this definition. For example, some plants such as the Common Reed (Phragmites australis), will grow in damp pasture land where soil is not saturated.¹ Wetland plants have adapted to growing in saturated soils by virtue of large internal air spaces allowing transportation of oxygen to the roots and rhizomes. This oxygen is not only needed for respiration in the root or rhizome (an underground portion of a stem), but the leakage of oxygen prevents toxins from accumulating in the root zone under saturated conditions.¹ [ TOP ] *Why are Waterplants Important?* There are about 600 species of waterplants in Australia. Most of these are uncommon species that play a small but very important part in increasing diversity in a wetland. Waterplants are also important as they can reduce erosion by reducing flow rates and trapping suspended sediments. They add dissolved oxygen to the water and are a direct source of food for aquatic animals. They strip nutrients from the water, and compete with bloom-forming algae for nutrients. They also provide habitat for the breeding of some aquatic animals. [ TOP ] *Activities that cause the loss of wetland plants in NSW* There are many activities that cause waterplant decline in NSW. They include: river regulation and the associated changes in water regimes, water extraction, drainage and flooding of wetlands for agricultural or other activities, clearing and draining, and the introduction of pest species such as carp and aquatic weeds. [ TOP ] *Threatened Species* A few water plants are listed as endangered or vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. These plants and their habitats are afforded special consideration in planning decisions under this legislation. For further information on status and management of plants listed in this legislation, please contact the NSW NPWS or visit their website. [ TOP ] *Common Types of Waterplants* It is often useful to divide water plants into groups based upon their habitat (the environment in which a plant grows naturally) and growth form (Sainty & Jacobs, 1994). The following four groups are commonly used. Please select a group to view and read more about some of the plants that are commonly found in the wetlands of NSW. Emergent Plants that tolerate flooding (Trees & Shrubs) Emergent Plants Submerged Plants Floating Plants: Free Floating & Floating Attached [ TOP ] *Prolific Plant Growth* Some free-floating aquatic plants that may form scums are sometimes confused with blue-green algal blooms. Common examples are: *Azolla* Source: Simon Mitrovic A free floating fern up to 1 cm wide and 3 cm long. Plants can be green or red depending upon exposure to the sun. Usually red in summer and autumn. They often cover large areas of the water surface. They are most common in slow moving, nutrient enriched waters. *Duckweeds* *Source: Simon Mitrovic* Duckweeds are small native plants that often cover large areas of the water surface. They look like a green mat and can be confused with algal scum until closer examination. If lifted out of the water the plants may have small roots. They are most common in slow moving, nutrient enriched waters. They are an important source of food for waterbirds. Examples include Spirodela sp. (the small green plant pictured here), Wolffia spp. and Lemna spp. Please click here for more information on Algal blooms and other prolific plant growth. [ TOP ] *References & Further Reading* Boulton, A. J. and Brock, M. A (1999). Australian Freshwater Ecology: Processes and Management. Gleneagles Publishing Adelaide. Brock, Margaret. A (1997) Are there seeds in your wetland? Assessing wetland vegetation. LWRRDC and UNE. Brock, Margaret. A (2000) How do water regime and grazing alter the reproductive capacity of aquatic plants?. LWRRDC, UNE, DLWC & EA. Brock, M. A. and Casanova, M. T. (1997). "Plant life at the edges of wetlands: ecological responses to wetting and drying patterns". In Frontiers in ecology: Building the Links. Eds N. Klomp and I. Lunt, Elsevier Science, Oxford. Brock, M. A. (1998). "Understanding plant germination, establishment and reproduction for wetland revegetation". Pp 131 - 137 In Wetlands in a Dry Land: Understanding and Management. Eds W.D. Williams, Environment Australia.. Brock, M. A. (1998). "Are temporary wetlands resilient? Evidence from seed banks of Australian and South African wetlands". Pp 193 - 206 In McComb A.J. and Davis, J.A. (Eds) Wetlands for the Future. Gleneagles Press, Adelaide, Australia. Brock, M. A. (1998). "Are aquatic plant seed banks resilient to water regime alteration? Implications for the Paroo River System. Pp 1129 - 138 In Kingsford, R.T. (Ed) Free Flowing River: the ecology of the Paroo River. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney. Brock, M. A., Smith, R.G.B. and Jarman, P.J. (1999). Drain it, dam it: alteration of water regime in shallow wetlands on the New England Tableland of NSW. Wetlands Ecology and Management 7: 37-46. Brock, Margaret. A and Casanova, Michelle. T. (2000) Are there plants in your wetland? Revegetating wetlands. LWRRDC, UNE, DLWC & EA. Brock, Margaret. A., Casanova, Michelle. T. and Berridge, Sally, M. (2000) Does your wetland flood and dry? Water regime and wetland plants. LWRRDC, UNE, DLWC & EA. Brock, M.A. and Jarman, P.J. (In press). Wetland use and conservation the agricultural environment: Management of processes rather than components. In Nature Conservation in Production Environments. Eds J. Craig and D. Saunders. Casanova, M.T. and Brock, M.A. (2000). How do depth, duration and frequency of flooding influence the establishment of wetland plant communities? Plant Ecology 147: 237 - 250. Crossle, K. and Brock, M.A. (in prep). Water regime, propagule type and plant species richness: the importance of dry times for wetlands. Jacobs, S. W. L. 1983. Vegetation. In "Wetlands in New South Wales". (Ed C. Haigh). National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW. ^{1 Sainty, G. and Beharrell, M. 1998. Wetland Plants. In "The Constructed Wetlands Manual. Volume 1". Department of Land and Water Conservation, NSW. Sainty, G. R. and Jacobs, S.W.L. (1981) Waterplants of New South Wales. Water Resources Commission, Sydney. Sainty, G. R. and Jacobs, S.W.L. (1994) Waterplants in Australia. Edn. 3. Sainty and Associates, Sydney. Cunningham, G et al 1981, Plants of Western New South Wales, NSW Govt. Printing, Sydney. Harden, G, Ed. 1991, Flora of New South Wales, NSW University Press, Sydney. Leck, M.A. and Brock, M.A. (2000) Ecological and evolutionary trends in wetlands: Evidence from seeds and seed banks in New South Wales, Australia and New Jersey, USA. Plant Species Biology 15: 97-112. Roberts, J. and Marston, F. (2000). Water regime of wetland and floodplain plants in the Murray-Darling Basin. CSIRO Land and Water, Canberra. Technical Report, 30/00. Roberts, J., Young, W. and Marston, F. (2000). Estimating the water requirements of plants of the floodplain wetlands: a guide. Land and Water Research and Development Corporation, Canberra. Occassional Paper, 04/00. Warwick, N.W.M. and Brock, M.A. (in prep). The effect of timing, depth and duration of flooding on the growth and reproduction in wetland plants.}

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	Copyright © 2000 - NSW Department of Natural Resources www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au