Special Places: Lower Murray Wetlands
Lower Murray wetlands are special places – they help maintain a clean river by filtering water, often referred to as 'the river’s kidneys'. They provide valuable habitat for fauna, including birds, turtles and reptiles. They provide breeding and sheltering sites for native fish.
Wetlands are significant Aboriginal heritage sites having been used for thousands of years for daily living. Shell middens, fire sites and canoe trees can be seen. They provide a cultural focus for local Ngarrindjeri people.
Less than 10% of the original wetlands of the Lower Murray remain today. Largely they have given way to agricultural production.
The remaining wetlands are threatened by changed water regimes due to the regulation of the river by the barrages at the Murray mouth and by introduced species: foxes, cats, pigeons, weeds, European carp and Mosquitofish. Foxes and cats prey heavily on local fauna. Turtle nests are heavily predated. Feral pigeons infest cliff nesting sites.Mosquitofish (Gambusia) prey on the young of native fish. The carp disturb wetland sediments releasing nutrients into the river, and uproot the delicate and threatened native wetland plants. Weeds, including willows and pepper trees, displace local species and add to the ecological imbalance.
Wetland Habitats Trust aims to restore the former character of the Paiwalla Wetland and surrounding area through land and water management
Wetlands are significant Aboriginal heritage sites having been used for thousands of years for daily living. Shell middens, fire sites and canoe trees can be seen. They provide a cultural focus for local Ngarrindjeri people.
Less than 10% of the original wetlands of the Lower Murray remain today. Largely they have given way to agricultural production.
The remaining wetlands are threatened by changed water regimes due to the regulation of the river by the barrages at the Murray mouth and by introduced species: foxes, cats, pigeons, weeds, European carp and Mosquitofish. Foxes and cats prey heavily on local fauna. Turtle nests are heavily predated. Feral pigeons infest cliff nesting sites.Mosquitofish (Gambusia) prey on the young of native fish. The carp disturb wetland sediments releasing nutrients into the river, and uproot the delicate and threatened native wetland plants. Weeds, including willows and pepper trees, displace local species and add to the ecological imbalance.
Wetland Habitats Trust aims to restore the former character of the Paiwalla Wetland and surrounding area through land and water management
