Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands
| Designations | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands |
| Designated | 29 August 2001 |
| Reference no. | 1096[1] |
The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands is a collection of principally
The surviving wetlands are divided into two groups, namely the northern Edithvale Wetlands (103 hectares or 250 acres in total) and the southern Seaford Wetlands (158 hectares or 390 acres in total), which together form the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands
All the wetlands are no more than 2 km (1.2 mi) away from the shore of
Description
The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands is separated into its two groups by the
Both wetland groups are mainly
History
Before European settlement of the Port Phillip area in the mid-19th century, the historic Carrum Carrum Swamp stretched from what is now Mordialloc in the north to Frankston in the south. The 4000 ha swamp's freshwater and brackish wetlands supported many animals and plants, including brolgas and magpie geese which are now locally extinct.[2]
During the latter half of the 19th century the swamp was progressively drained for
Ramsar listing
The wetlands were listed on 29 August 2001 under the Ramsar Convention, as Ramsar site 1096,[5] Australia's 11th site, in recognition of their international importance, and specifically because they:[2]
- are the last remaining examples of the Carrum Carrum Swamp, containing a variety of permanent and seasonal, freshwater and saline wetlands,
- support populations of the Australasian bittern, considered to be of state significance and threatened in Victoria, and
- support more than 1% of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway population of sharp-tailed sandpipers (or over 2000 birds) in up to one year in three.[2]
They are also considered to be of exceptional significance as examples of cost-effective management of wetlands in an urban setting to provide conservation benefits, manage storm water, and encourage environmental education and research.[5]
Flora and fauna
Plants
The wetlands contain 14 ecological vegetation types. Three of state significance are plains
Animals
At any one time, up to 7000 individual birds make the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands their home. Some 190 species have been recorded, including many migratory waders. Species listed as protected under Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 are the great egret, Australasian bittern, Baillon's crake, Lewin's rail and the white-bellied sea eagle. There is also a population of eastern grey kangaroos.[2]
Access
The Edithvale Wetland is managed by
The hide was closed in early 2010 due to structural problems.[6] It reopened in August 2016.[7]
References
Notes
- ^ "Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Case Study - Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands
- ^ "IBA: Carrum Wetlands". Birdata. Birds Australia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands.
- ^ a b Annotated Ramsar List.
- ^ "Bird Hide Update", Wetland Warbler (121), Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, March 2011
- ^ "Bird Hide Meeting", Wetland Warbler (146), Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, May–June 2016
Sources
- "Case Study - Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands". Melbourne Water. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
- "Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands" (PDF). Brett Lane (Compiler). Department of Natural resources and Environment, Victoria. 20 July 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
- "The Annotated Ramsar List: Australia". The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. 4 January 2000. Archived from the original on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2010.