A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia Wetland ecology In Chapter 2: Understanding wetlands A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia Chapter 2: Understanding wetlands Introduction to the guide Western Australia’s unique and diverse wetlands are rich in ecological and cultural values and form an integral part of the natural environment of the state. A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia (the guide) provides information about the nature of WA’s wetlands, and practical guidance on how to manage and restore them for nature conservation. The focus of the guide is natural ‘standing’ wetlands that retain conservation value. Wetlands not addressed in this guide include waterways, estuaries, tidal and artifi cial wetlands. The guide consists of multiple topics within fi ve chapters. These topics are available in PDF format free of charge from the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) website at www.dec.wa.gov.au/wetlandsguide. The guide is a DEC initiative. Topics of the guide have predominantly been prepared by the department’s Wetlands Section with input from reviewers and contributors from a wide range of fi elds and sectors. Through the guide and other initiatives, DEC seeks to assist individuals, groups and organisations to manage the state’s wetlands for nature conservation. The development of the guide has received funding from the Australian Government, the Government of Western Australia, DEC and the Department of Planning. It has received the support of the Western Australian Wetlands Coordinating Committee, the state’s peak wetland conservation policy coordinating body. For more information about the guide, including scope, purpose and target audience, please refer to the topic ‘Introduction to the guide’. DEC welcomes your feedback and suggestions on the guide. A publication feedback form is available from the DEC website at www.dec.wa.gov.au/wetlandsguide. i Wetland ecology A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia Chapter 2: Understanding wetlands Contents of the guide Introduction Introduction to the guide Chapter 1: Planning for wetland management Wetland management planning Funding, training and resources Chapter 2: Understanding wetlands Wetland hydrology Conditions in wetland waters Wetland ecology Wetland vegetation and fl ora Chapter 3: Managing wetlands Managing hydrology Wetland weeds Water quality Secondary salinity Phytophthora dieback Managing wetland vegetation Nuisance midges and mosquitoes Introduced and nuisance animals Livestock Chapter 4: Monitoring wetlands Monitoring wetlands Chapter 5: Protecting wetlands Roles and responsibilities Legislation and policy These topics are available in PDF format free of charge from the DEC website at www.dec.wa.gov.au/wetlandsguide. ii Wetland ecology A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia Chapter 2: Understanding wetlands ‘Wetland ecology’ topic Acknowledgments Authors: Justine Lawn and Anya Lam, DEC Reviewers and/contributors The following people have been consulted in the development of this topic: Adrian Pinder, DEC Karen Bettink, DEC Dr David Morgan, Murdoch University Manda Page, DEC Freshwater fish group and fish health unit Robyn Loomes Michael Klunziger, Murdoch University Department of Water Freshwater fish group and fish health unit Dr Michael Coote, DEC Dr Gerald Kuchling, DEC Neale Bougher, DEC The valuable contribution of each of these people, and people who have contributed their photos, is gratefully acknowledged. Project manager: Justine Lawn, DEC Publications management: Joanna Moore, DEC Graphic design: Stuart Ridgway, Stuart Ridgway Design Cover photo: Professor Jenny Davis Recommended reference When referring to the guide in its entirety, the recommended reference is: Department of Environment and Conservation (2012). A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia. When specific reference is made to this topic, the recommended reference is: Department of Environment and Conservation (2012). ‘Wetland ecology’, in A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia, Prepared by J Lawn and A Lam, Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia. Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct, the information is only provided as a guide to management and restoration activities. DEC does not guarantee, and accepts no liability whatsoever arising from, or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained in this guide. Sections of this topic were drafted by November 2009 therefore new information that may have come to light between the completion date and publication date may not have been captured in this topic. iii Wetland ecology A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia Chapter 2: Understanding wetlands Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 Part 1: wetland organisms .............................................................................................. 2 Wetland plants .............................................................................................................. 4 The role of wetland plants ......................................................................................... 6 Sources of information on wetland plants ................................................................ 12 Wetland algae ............................................................................................................. 13 The role of algae ...................................................................................................... 19 Sources of information on wetland algae ................................................................. 20 Bacteria ....................................................................................................................... 21 The role of bacteria .................................................................................................. 24 Sources of information on wetland bacteria ............................................................. 29 Fungi .......................................................................................................................... 30 The role of fungi ...................................................................................................... 30 Sources of information on wetland fungi ................................................................. 33 Animals ....................................................................................................................... 34 Sources of information on wetland animals .............................................................. 34 Surveying fauna ....................................................................................................... 35 Reporting fauna ....................................................................................................... 35 Animals: vertebrates .................................................................................................... 35 Fish .......................................................................................................................... 35 Frogs ....................................................................................................................... 38 Reptiles .................................................................................................................... 40 Birds ........................................................................................................................ 46 Mammals ................................................................................................................ 50 The role of vertebrates ............................................................................................. 56 Animals: invertebrates ................................................................................................. 57 Freshwater sponges ................................................................................................. 58 Worms and leeches .................................................................................................. 59 Molluscs .................................................................................................................. 60 Insects ..................................................................................................................... 62 Springtails ................................................................................................................ 66 Spiders and water mites ........................................................................................... 66 Crustaceans ............................................................................................................. 67 Rotifers .................................................................................................................... 71 The role of wetland invertebrates ............................................................................. 72 iv Wetland ecology A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia Chapter 2: Understanding wetlands Part 2: wetland ecology ................................................................................................