<
https://theconversation.com/surviving-swamps-on-south-australias-parched-fleurieu-peninsula-are-a-lifeline-to-wildlife-and-farmers-256238>
"South Australia is famously the driest state on the driest inhabited
continent.
But even for South Australia, the current drought is extreme. Rainfall has been
the lowest on record across large areas.
When drought strikes and water sources dry up, life becomes hard for wildlife.
In these conditions, perennial water sources become enormously valuable.
Dotted across the drought-stricken Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide are
more than 850 swampy wetlands. When the landscape dries out, these swamps act
as refuges. Animals, birds, insects and reptiles come from far and wide, drawn
by permanent spring-fed water, good habitat, diverse plant species and cooler,
more humid micro-climates. These swamps are vital habitat for the critically
endangered Mount Lofty Ranges southern emu-wren.
Drainage channels were cut through many of these swamps in the early days of
settlement, in an effort to turn them into pasture. The Fleurieu swamps are now
considered an endangered ecological community. More than 90% of the remaining
swamps are located on private property.
Keeping these swamps intact and restoring dried out wetlands comes with real
benefits for farmers. Birds and insects seek refuge in the swamps, but feed on
pest species on nearby farmland.
As drought tightens its grip on South Australia, these swamps will only become
more important to wildlife. Restoring these swamps by bringing back the water
and restoring plants and pollinators could go some way to help."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
