Wetlands of Australia: Southern (temperate) Australia

Abstract

Temperate and tropical Australian wetlands are dealt with in two sections. In both sections wetlands are classified on the basis of physiography. For temperate Australia, information on the flora and fauna is reviewed on the basis of wetland classification within each of the major Australian Drainage Divisions, whereas for northern Australia, ecological information is summarized according to the major wetland types. The authors comment on biological aspects of conservation issues. Recommendations are made on the broad directions that conservation of Australian wetlands should take: the need 1) to examine wetlands from a total catchment and drainage basin perspective; 2) to consider conservation as one of several uses for a wetland; 3) to unify the status of reserve systems between the Australian States; 4) to give equal attention to all developments hazardous to wetlands rather than focussing on those with a high media profile; and 5) in temperate Australias, the need for more information on arid zone wetlands to assess their conservation status and value, and an immediate expansion of current research activities and/or control of threats posed by feral animals and alien weeds. -from Authors