Aquatic Reed Planting
Aquatic reed planting to mitigate lake-edge erosion, increase wetland biodiversity and build teal carbon
Mechanical harvesting and planting of the native aquatic reed River Club Rush (Schoenoplectus validus) has been undertaken adjacent to some highly eroded lake-edge environments on Lakes Albert and Alexandrina. This work is actively managing wetlands for improved ecological outcomes in a changing climate.
Aquatic reeds provide critical ecological and socio-economic services. They contribute to the mitigation and adaptation to the impacts of climate change and the maintenance of freshwater biodiversity through their many ecosystem services.
This includes the protection of the lake edge from shoreline erosion, mitigating the effects of excessive nutrient loading, trapping sediment and providing nursery habitats for threatened and endangered native fish species and other wetland dependent wildlife.
The sheltered water created between the offshore reed beds and the lake edge is a particularly scarce habitat. Threatened fish species are more likely to occupy these areas.
Establishing vegetation on the bed of the Lakes will help to improve knowledge of the interaction between vegetation, soil biology and acid sulphate soils, as well as the prevention of erosion of the bed during periods of exposure.
This work has been made possible through funding received from Coorong District Council, BHP Olympic Dam, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and the landholders involved - the Angas and Masondrina Families.
