Full Title
The relationship between vegetation, water regimes and wetland type in wetlands of the Murray River floodplain
Supervisor
Daryl Nielsen, Roger Croome (La Trobe University)
Student
Rose Barrett
Funding Body
2005 recipient of the Terry J Hillman Honours Education Prize, La Trobe University
Duration
completed July 2006
Outcomes
Honours
Summary
In this study, we examined the abundance and diversity of vegetation in 20 floodplain wetlands, in relation to water regime and wetland type. Floodplain wetlands contribute to the ecology and functioning of riverine floodplain ecosystems. Understanding how wetlands are affected by regulated river flows will assist in the appropriate allocation of water for environmental purposes. Results showed wetland plant communities to be correlated with both water regime and wetland type. These results support the proposal that wetland water regimes may be indicated by the type of plant communities that develop and that the type of wetland also influences the vegetation community. Future management of river/floodplain ecosystems should consider wetland type, as well as water regime when planning strategies for preservation or restoration of wetlands in regulated rivers.
