WATER
RIVERS, WETLANDS, COASTS AND OCEANS
SALTY EFFORTS What many think of as tidal mudflats along our northwestern coastline and inlets, may in fact contain unique and valuable saltmarsh wetlands. These saltmarsh environments contain salt tolerant plants such as succulents, herbs, grasses and low shrubs. They are flooded regularly or occasionally and provide important food sources for migratory birds, a nursery for many of our commercial fish species, and are an important buffer and carbon storage. They are threatened by weed invasion, drainage works, off-road vehicles, rubbish and stock access. Cradle Coast Authority is working with local community groups, Landcare groups, Tasmanian Land Conservancy and private landholders to improve the condition and protect these threatened saltmarsh areas.
The greatest weed threat to the saltmarsh environment is Spartina anglica, or Rice Grass. Rice Grass outcompetes native saltmarsh and invades sand and mud-flats which provide food and habitat for native animals. Rice Grass can also impact boat access, aquaculture production and community recreation. Planning for the Rice Grass control season (December to April) is in full swing. Planning days, reference committee meetings and site inspections with contractors have taken place to determine target areas and the appropriate control strategy. The control work in the Rubicon estuary will focus on maintaining a “Rice Grass free” zone, north of a “containment line” (between Squeaking Point and Eagle Point), as well as control in strategic areas south of the containment line. Similarly, in the Robbins Passage area, the aim will be for follow-up control of all areas treated in the last few years, as well as some select sites for a first treatment.
Negotiations continue with a number of private landholders to establish conservation covenants over their saltmarsh areas and undertake works such as fencing or revegetation to enhance and protect the saltmarsh. A healthy saltmarsh and the adjoining fringe vegetation, which is often the threatened Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp Forest, provide really important coastal stability and buffers against storm surges.
ABOVE: Healthy coastal saltmarsh contains a large variety of species and along with Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) fringe vegetation provides a great buffer for agricultural areas inland. RIGHT: Rice Grass infestation on a mud-flat near Eagle Point, north of the containment line. This area will be treated as part of the upcoming control season.
Get in touch with Project Officer, Nick Jamson for more information: njamson@cradlecoast.com
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This project is supported by Cradle Coast Authority with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
