biodiversity education package - boobera lagoon

Catchment Management AuthorityBorder Rivers-Gwydir

Boobera Lagoon Biodiversity Education and

Excursion Package

Compiled by Wendy Hawes, The Envirofactor

Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management AuthorityBoobera Lagoon: Biodiversity Education and Excursion Package

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Contents

About the Biodiversity Education and Excursion Package 3

Site Information 6

Catchment Context 9

History and Human Influence 10

Plant Communities 14

Weeds 17

Habitat and Fauna 20

Feral animals 24

Student Activity 26

Activity Recording Sheet 27

Information Sources 28

Glossary 29

© 2012 Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority

Hawes, W. (2012) Boobera Lagoon: Biodiversity Education and Excursion Package. Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority, NSW.

Printed on 100% Recycled Paper by Print Anything, Inverell.


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This environmental education resource has been developed by the Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority and The Envirofactor Pty Ltd.

The Biodiversity Education Package has been designed to provide a variety of subject matter in relation to specific field sites across the Border Rivers and Gwydir catchments. The objective is to provide teachers with up-to-date environmental information relevant to sites commonly used for school excursions. Information within the package has been compiled from a variety of sources (refer Information Sources section) the authors of which are gratefully acknowledged.

This resource will assist students achieve many of the objectives of the Geography Years 7-10 syllabus, but also has relevance to the Science and Aboriginal Studies Years 7-10 syllabi.

Outline of the resourceThis package provides specific environmental information for 9 field sites across the Border Rivers and Gwydir catchments.

For each excursion site the package provides:

• A description of the site within the context of the catchment and surrounding landscape

• A brief history of human influence

• Indigenous and European cultural heritage values of the area

• Community involvement in the management of the site

• Descriptions of the natural values of the site including vegetation communities, flora and fauna, habitat values and the presence of threatened species and communities

• Impacts of weeds and feral animal pests on the site

• Student activities

Additionally the package provides basic logistic information to assist teachers in organising excursions including:

• Distance of site to major centres

• Quality of access roads

• Site facilities include toilets, picnic/bbq areas and rubbish bins

• Accessibility limitations and potential hazards.

About the Biodiversity Education and Excursion Package


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Location of field sitesExcursion packages are available for the following locations in the catchment:

Ashford Kwiambal National Park

Armidale Mount Yarrowyck Nature Reserve

Boggabilla Boobera Lagoon

Glen Innes Beardy Waters Woodlands

Inverell Lake Inverell

Goonoowigall State Conservation Area

Copeton Dam & Copeton Waters State Recreation Area

Moree Moree Common

Tenterfield Tenterfield Park

Relevance to NSW School Years 7-10 SyllabusThis package will assist students to achieve the following outcomes:

Geography

Stage 4 Stage 5

4.1 identify and gather geographical information 5.1 identify, gather and evaluate geographical information

4.2 organise and interpret geographical information 5.2 analyse, organise and synthesize geographical information

4.4 use a range of geographical tools 5.4 select and apply appropriate geographical tools4.5 demonstrates a sense of place about global

environments5.5 demonstrates a sense of place about Australian

environments4.6 describe the geographical processes that form

and transform environments5.6 explain the geographical processes that form and

transform Australian environments4.8 describe the interrelationships between people

and environments


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Science

Stage 4 Stage 5

Knowledge and Understanding4.8 describe features of living things 5.8 relate the structure and function of living things

to models theories and laws4.10 identify factors affecting survival of organisms

in an ecosystem5.10 assess human impacts on the interaction of biotic

and abiotic features of the environment 4.11 identify where resources are found, and describe

ways in which they are used by humans5.11 analyse the impact of human resource use on the

biosphere to evaluate methods of conserving, protecting and maintaining Earth’s resources

Skills4.14 follow a sequence of instructions to undertake a

first-hand investigation5.14 undertakes first-hand investigations

independently with safety and competence4.15 use given criteria to gather first-hand data 5.15 gather first-hand data accurately

Aboriginal Studies

Stage 4 Stage 5

4.1 identify and gather geographical information 5.1 describe the factors that contribute to an Aboriginal person’s identity

4.3 recognise the changing nature of Aboriginal cultures

5.3 describe the dynamic nature of Aboriginal cultures

4.4 outline the changes in Aboriginal cultural expression across time and location

5.4 explain adaptations in, and the changing nature of, Australian cultural expression across time and location

4.8 describe the interaction of the wider Australian community with Aboriginal Peoples and cultures

5.8 analyse the interaction of the wider Australian community with Aboriginal Peoples and cultures


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Site InformationLocationBoobera Lagoon lies 13.5 kilometers west of Boggabilla NSW. The clearly signed main entrance is accessed from the Boomi Road. This access is bitumen but the road into the public reserve is grey clay and impassible when wet.

Opening TimesAccessible at all times.

Entry FeeEntry is free.


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Facilities

Toilets

Picnic Tables

Car Parking

Bus Parking

Rubbish Bins

Drinking Water

AccessibilityThe Boobera Lagoon Reserve Area has several dirt tracks suitable for walking or driving. None are regarded as suitable for wheelchairs and all are impassable to vehicles and walkers after rain.

Points of Interest• A unique freshwater aquatic environment.

• A significant Aboriginal site that has a long history of occupation and tradition. The resting place of Garriya (also known as the Rainbow Serpent), scar trees are common as are stone artifacts. A fenced burial site is also present.

• Examples of various floodplain vegetation types including River Red-Gum-Coolibah Riparian Woodland, Belah Open Forest and Mixed Bimble Box Grassy Woodlands.

• Habitat for a number of threatened animals including the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Grey-crowned Babbler, Hooded Robin and Brolga.

• Habitat for a number of migratory birds including the Great Egret, Cattle Egret and Rainbow Bee-eater.

Potential Hazards• Open water

• Snakes

• Biting insects (wasps, mosquitoes)

• Sunburn

• Uneven ground surface

• Tripping Hazards (e.g. fallen logs, rocks off-track)

• Clay soils which are impassable when wet.


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Responsible AgencyNSW Land and Property Management Authority

Visitor Responsibilities• It is illegal to disturb, move, knowingly destroy, damage or deface an Aboriginal object or place. Any Aboriginal

objects found must not be disturbed or moved. Boobera Lagoon is an Aboriginal place of great significance; please respect the cultural importance of the area.

• Rubbish must be placed in bins provided or taken home and disposed of responsibly.

• Only gas barbeques or cookers should be used. Fires must not be lit.


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Catchment ContextLandscape SettingBoobera Lagoon is a large permanent water body on the North West Plains of NSW. The Lagoon is 10 kilometres (km) long by 150 metres (m) wide and up to 8 m deep. Boobera Lagoon and the adjoining Morella Watercourse are remnant features of a previous course of the Macintyre River.

As one of very few permanent water bodies, in the generally arid environment of the Murray Darling Basin, Boobera Lagoon provides a unique aquatic environment. In this landscape billabongs such as Boobera Lagoon provide important environmental buffers, mitigating the effects of flooding and acting as drought refuges for wildlife and stock.

The topography surrounding the Lagoon is generally flat and comprises the floodplain of the Macintyre River.

Soils on the public reserve consist of a complex mix of brown and grey clays. These soils are generally highly erodible and often have saline sub-soils.

Vegetation at Boobera Lagoon consists of a mosaic of vegetation communities typically found on the northern floodplains. However, within the public reserve at Boobera Lagoon, these vegetation types are protected from agricultural impacts (i.e. thinning, stock grazing, cropping and pasture improvement ) that many remnants of these communities are subject to on private land.

Landscape ConnectivityHow well any given area is connected depends upon how good a species is at crossing gaps in their habitat. Some, such as large birds (eagles, large owls) or mammals (e.g. grey kangaroos), can readily cross large open areas. Others such as small lizards, wrens and marsupial mice can only cross small gaps or need unbroken native vegetation to protect them from predators.

Boobera Lagoon lies within a landscape that has been largely cleared for agriculture, including dryland and irrigated cropping. As a result habitat tends to be poorly connected and highly dependent upon remnant vegetation along Travelling Stock Routes (TSRs).

Large patches of native grassy and shrubby woodland vegetation to the north and west of the Lagoon provide connectivity to the Macintyre River through a series of remnant corridors, some of which are accessed through the TSR along the Boomi Road. Being connected to these larger patches and the Macintyre River is important, as it allows a greater number and variety of native animals and plants to use the habitat at Boobera Lagoon than would be possible if the reserve stood alone. This connectivity helps maintain the health of the ecosystems (aquatic and land based) at Boobera Lagoon, the Macintyre River and in adjoining remnants.


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History and Human InfluenceAboriginal OccupationBoobera Lagoon lies within the traditional lands of the Gamilaraay (also known as Kamilaroi) people whose territory extended west of the Great Dividing Range; from Murrurundi in the south to Boggabillla and Mungindi in the north, and west to Collarenbari and Coonabarabran.

The Lagoon is considered to be one of the most important Aboriginal sites in south-eastern Australia. There is a rich body of oral and written tradition about the significance of Boobera Lagoon to the Gamilaraay people. An importance recognised in 1848 by Richard Bligh, the first Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district of Gwydir when he recommended to the Colonial Secretary that an area be set aside at Boobera Lagoon for a “Native Reserve”.

Boobera Lagoon is a traditional camping place and a sacred site of the Gamilaraay people. For them it is the resting place of the creator spirit Garriya (or Kurrea), also known as the Rainbow Serpent.

R.H. Matthews, a government surveyor in the 19th century, was also a keen recorder of Aboriginal language and customs in south-east Australia. In 1899, he published the legend of Boobera Lagoon – “The Kurrea and the Warrior”.

Some parts of this Lagoon are very deep, and according to the legends at one particular place is bottomless. In the depths dwells the Garriya, a huge snake-like monster. He belongs to the Gubadhin (or Kupathin) group, and his wife is the daughter of the bambul (wild orange) tree, of the Dhilbi (or Dilbi) group. The Garriya burrows as he moves across the land, and as he moves the waters flow behind in the troughs he creates, allowing he to remain beneath the water as he travels. Many hollow channels around Boobera which are now dry except in times of flood were formed long, long ago by the Garriya.

If any man ever went to that part of the Lagoon to swim, or sat on the bank fishing, or paddled out in his canoe in pursuit of waterfowl, the Garriya was sure to seize and devour him. Not being able to hunt here was a serious loss to the people as fish, mussels, ducks, swans and other animals abounded in the Lagoon.

Long ago a headman named Dhulala (or Toolalla), of the Noona on the Barwon, who was a great warrior, decided to kill the Garriya and rid his people of their enemy. He stood on the southern bank of the Lagoon armed with the best of his weapons and watched for Garriya. When the giant snake saw him, he immediately swam towards him. Although Dhulala threw spears and clubs with all his force, they had no effect and he soon used all his weapons. He was forced to turn and flee across the plain. The Garriya gave chase, forming a channel in his usual manner, winding about like a huge snake and travelling at great pace. He was gaining rapidly on Dhulala who was running for his life, but just as he was tiring he saw a bambul tree growing on the edge of the plain. He made a final effort to reach it, because it was the mother-in-law of Garriya, and he knew he would not dare approach it. When Garriya saw that Dhulala had reached the bambul tree, he stopped suddenly, and digging a small waterhole in which he could turn his body around, he returned to the Lagoon along the channel he had made.

The legend of Dhulala and Garriya has been passed down in stories through the generations to the present day. Aboriginal people do not camp near, or go into the water of, Boobera Lagoon. The area is however, an important source of bush food including nhayiban (nampam), bambul (wild orange), garuwi (krui) and yurrandali (goanna), and medicines such as yawurr (black orchid).

Scar Trees are evidence of Aboriginal occupation (Photo: H. White)


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Prior to European settlement, and despite the cultural restriction regarding the waters of Boobera Lagoon, the native vegetation would have provided a rich source of food items including grass seeds for flour, bulbs and yams for roasting, fruit and nectar. Vegetation would also have provided wood and fibre for housing, tools and weaving as well as important medicines. Mitchell (1839) was one of the first Europeans into Gamilaraay country, describes the large gundhi (huts) as made of thatched grass, reeds and boughs. A diversity of native animals would have made good hunting and the clear, clean waters of the nearby Macintyre River would have teemed with native fish, freshwater shrimps and yabbies.

The arrival of European settlers in the early 1830s ended the traditional life of the Gamilaraay people. As with other Aboriginal people, introduced diseases and frontier battles significantly depleted their population causing serious disruption to tribal boundaries and traditional culture. Bloody frontier battles fought over access to food and water continued until the 1850s.

In 1851, with the discovery of gold, European workers became scarce and Aboriginal people moved onto the stations to fill vacant positions. Wages paid to Aboriginal workers were highly variable, some being paid full white wages while others were paid only in rations (flour, tea and tobacco).

Permanent camps were established on many of the properties as well as on the outskirts of towns. Two in the Boobera area were on ‘Coppymrrumbilla Station’ to the south of Boggabilla and ‘Whalan Station’ near Boomi. While those living on station camps were often able to maintain a semblance of their traditional lifestyle, the camps near towns often became desperate places.

In 1912, Aboriginal people were moved from camps at ‘Whalan Station’ (Mungindi), as well as Wellton and Tallwood in Queensland, to a government mission at Euraba near Boomi. However, in 1927 Euraba mission was forced to close due to a lack of a suitable water supply, and in the same year residents were moved to the newly established Toomelah mission on the Boomi-Boggabilla Road. But in 1938 it too was closed, and residents were moved to Toomelah’s present position east of Boggabilla where a number of the descendents of the early residents still live today.

After a protracted campaign by the Aboriginal community (see European Settlement below) the significance of Boobera Lagoon was formally recognised in 1984 when a 151 ha area on the southern shore was declared an Aboriginal Place under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. In 1986, the Australian Heritage Commission entered the same area into the National Estate Register as an area of Mythological Significance.

Today, Boobera Lagoon remains an important place for Aboriginal people providing a landscape connection to their culture and history before European settlement. With a strong connection to the past it is a place for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to learn about traditional Gamilaraay life, spirituality, customs, law and beliefs.

Bambul (Wild Orange) one of the many bushfoods found at Boobera Lagoon (Photo: G. Steenbeeke)


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European SettlementAllan Cunningham discovered the Macintyre River during an expedition in 1827. He named it after Captain Peter Macintyre who had provided horses and drays for the expedition as well as guiding Cunningham over the Liverpool Range.

The first European settlers arrived in 1836, and by 1846 had established three grazing properties ‘Callandoon’, ‘Umbercollie’ and ‘Old Goondiwindi’ which shared a common boundary near to where the town of Goondiwindi stands today.

With the arrival of European settlers came the introduction of domestic livestock (sheep, cattle, horses, pigs and goats) and intensive agriculture. Historically, landuse surrounding Boobera Lagoon consisted of seasonal grazing of sheep on native pastures. Dryland cropping commenced on the grey clay soils around Boobera Lagoon in the 1960s as a result of improved winter cereal varieties. Present landuse in the Boobera catchment is overwhelmingly dryland and irrigated cropping, with the grazing of sheep and cattle now restricted to those areas that either cannot support cropping, or lands that due to tenure or legislative controls cannot be cropped.

The reserve at Boobera Lagoon was for many years part of a Travelling Stock Reserve and Camping Reserve (TSR and CR 29416) and is one of the areas where tenure did not allow conversion to cropping. Until recently it was used for grazing of both travelling stock and agisted stock of surrounding landholders.

Since the time of European settlement the Lagoon has provided stock and domestic water to adjoining landholders. However in the 1970s, the then Department of Water Resources issued an irrigation license allowing water extraction from the Lagoon for irrigated cropping on the property ‘Kanandah’, which adjoins the eastern boundary of the public recreation area. Also during the 1970s the Lagoon became popular as a powerboat and waterskiing venue.

Given the highly sacred nature of the area to Aboriginal people they found the use of the Lagoon for powerboating and waterskiing highly offensive and disrespectful. Although happy to share the enjoyment of the Lagoon with non-Aboriginal people who were respectful of the spiritual importance of the area, they would not condone waterskiing and were concerned about the degradation caused by recreational and agricultural activities on the area. Resolving this conflict of use was to prove difficult and would continue for more than 30 years.

In 1992/1993, an environmental audit of Boobera Lagoon and its surrounds was undertaken by the then NSW Department of Conservation and Land Management (CaLM). The aim of the audit was to identify the environmental and cultural needs of the Lagoon and its immediate environs and provide baseline information to assist in determining the best balance between competing needs.

The results of the audit clearly showed recreational, agricultural and grazing practices were contributing to significant degradation of the area. The combination of over-grazing, trampling by stock, draw-down as a consequence of water extraction for irrigation and wave action from the powerboats was causing extensive bank erosion. These actions were also preventing the establishment of reed beds, reducing water quality and aquatic biodiversity. Over-grazing, unrestricted camping and/or vehicle access was also found to be preventing tree and shrub regeneration, reducing the


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quality and quantity of groundcover and degrading the overall quality of habitat on the area. The audit also identified that, as a result of water being diverted by or retained within surrounding irrigation developments, Boobera Lagoon had effectively lost 65% of its catchment. All of which were diminishing the aesthetic and cultural heritage value of the area.

As a result of the environmental audit, the irrigation license was removed from the Lagoon in the early 1990s but little else changed. The fight to protect the Lagoon from desecration continued and in 1994 the Toomelah Local Aboriginal Land Council lodged an application under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. In 1995, the government commissioned a report by Hal Wootten (Queen’s Council) to canvas management options for the Lagoon. The final recommendations of this report were the removal of waterskiing and travelling stock from the Lagoon area while still allowing activities such as canoeing, camping and fishing. However, it would be another four years (1999) until powerboats, waterskiing and the watering of travelling stock were banned from Boobera Lagoon. This long awaited ban however, only became effective in 2002. In 2004, at a cost of $5 million, a section of Serpentine Creek east of Goondiwindi was converted to a water park for skiing and boating.

Boobera Lagoon is now declared an Aboriginal Place under NSW law and managed by a committee with a majority of Aboriginal members. The Reserve has been fenced to control stock access and it is proposed (through the NSW Cap and Pipe the Bores Scheme) to provide stock watering points well away from the Lagoon foreshore.

Management of this area now focuses on:

• Controlling of weeds, in particular Harrisia Cactus.

• Preservation of the environmental and Indigenous cultural heritage values of the area.

• Educating people as to the spiritual significance of the area


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The natural vegetation within Boobera Lagoon Reserve comprises a mosaic of grassy woodland and open forest types representative of grey and brown clay soils of the north-west plains. Changes in the vegetation types and dominant trees across the reserve are the result of variations in the flooding regime, soil types and elevation. Vegetation within the reserve is considered to be in moderate to good condition.

Vegetation Structure Plant communities are named according to their structure (i.e. how the plants are arranged). Look at any patch of vegetation and you will see the plants form a series of layers (see Figure 1). From tallest to smallest these layers are the overstorey, understorey, shrub layer and groundcover.

The tallest plants (the overstorey) in woodland and open forest are typically eucalypt trees. In woodland the canopies (branches and leaves) of these tallest trees are for the most part not touching one another. Vegetation where the canopies are very widely spaced is called open woodland. If however, the canopies were mostly touching or even overlapping then the vegetation is open forest or forest.

In healthy vegetation communities the understorey, shrub and groundcover layers should also have young overstorey trees. These young trees will grow up to form new overstorey as old trees age and die. Their presence will ensure the woodland and/or open forest continues to exist into the future.

At the time of the environmental audit in 1993, all the vegetation communities at Boobera Lagoon were in very poor condition. Reed beds and aquatic vegetation were absent, there was no regeneration of native trees and shrubs and little or no groundcover remained. The removal of the irrigation license from Boobera Lagoon allowed the water level to remain stable. The banning of powerboats and water skiing stopped destructive wave action along the shoreline and the removal of stock watering reduced the grazing pressure. These actions allowed the re-establishment of aquatic vegetation, native groundcover and the regeneration of native trees and shrubs which can be seen along the water’s edge today

River Red Gum – Coolibah Riparian WoodlandThis community occurs along the banks of Boobera Lagoon and is dominated by River Red Gum and Coolibah. It forms the riparian vegetation on the area. Riparian vegetation is those plant communities that occur along the banks of a water body such as a creek, river, lake or lagoon. Riparian vegetation is often different to the vegetation which occurs away from a creek or river. This is because land close to a river, or lake is wetter.

Grassy woodlands with Coolibah as one of the main overstorey trees were once common across on the grey-clay floodplains of north-west NSW. However, the flat landscape and fertile soils made these woodlands ideal for agriculture and they were quickly cleared for cultivation. In the 1960s the introduction of cotton and irrigation water licenses led to widespread modification of the floodplain through the construction of diversion banks, channels, levees and water extraction. These

River Red Gum (Photo: G. Steenbeeke)

Figure 1: Vegetation layers in Woodland.

Plant Communities


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modifications have significantly altered the pattern, seasonality, duration, frequency and depth of flooding on the plains. Coolibah woodlands are highly dependent on natural flood events for their health and rejuvenation and these human induced changes have caused a noticeable decline in many remnants. Additionally, remaining areas of this community have been altered by on-going tree clearing, the introduction of exotic species and the effect of herbicide and pesticide spray drift.

In 2003, it was estimated that less than 20% of the original woodland communities remained on the floodplain between Moree and Goondiwindi. As a result these woodlands are listed under NSW legislation as a Threatened Ecological Community while the ‘alteration to the natural flow regimes of rivers, streams, floodplains and wetlands’ is listed as a Key Threatening Process. The riparian vegetation at Boobera Lagoon is an example of these now rare floodplain woodlands.

Due to their dependence on seasonal flooding River Red Gums at Boobera Lagoon form only a narrow fringing corridor and are quickly replaced by Coolibah away from the immediate water’s edge. This is because Coolibah are better adapted to drier conditions away from the water. The width of this community around the Lagoon varies from a single tree width to approximately 40 m.

Many of the shoreline trees are ‘scar trees’ showing evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the Lagoon area.

The understorey layer is taller than 2 m but shorter than the overstorey. At Boobera Lagoon, the understorey is sparse and made up of Western Rosewood (also known as Boonery), bambul (Wild Orange), River Cooba and Budda. Shrubs (between 1-2 m tall) are similarly distributed and occur as scattered individuals and/or patches of Spotted Fuchsia, Tar Bush and Warrior Bush.

The groundcover layer in this riparian community is dominated along the water’s edge by aquatic and semi-aquatic species and away from the water by native grasses and low shrubs up to 1 m tall. Native aquatic and semi-aquatic species present along the water’s edge include Cumbungi, Common Reed, Prince’s Plume and Smartweed. Away from the water the grasses present include Umbrella Cane Grass, Queensland Bluegrass, Couch Grass, Curly Windmill Grass, Windmill Grass, Slender Bamboo Grass, Wallaby Grasses, Native Millet, Weeping Lovegrass and Neverfail. Low shrubs present include Ruby Saltbush, Thorny Saltbush, Nampam, Streaked Poverty Bush and Galvanised Burr. While common forbs include Nardoo, Lamb’s Tails, Common Everlasting Daisy, Pinrushes, Common Pigweed and Warrigal Greens (also known as New Zealand Spinach).

Mixed Bimble Box Grassy WoodlandThis community occurs on the more elevated brown and grey complex soils which occur across the majority of the Boobera Lagoon Reserve area. Trees within the overstorey of this community are often widely spaced and include Bimble Box and Whitewood. Where these complex soils grade into the brown clays where mono-specific clumps of Krui and/or Ironwood may be found.

The understorey layer (taller than 2 m but shorter than the overstorey) is generally sparse and made up of Wilga, Western Rosewood and Bambul. A layer of shrubs, between 1-2 m in height, is also generally sparse and/or patchy. Plants commonly found within this layer are Galvansied Burr, Nampam and Thorny Saltbush.

River Red Gum-Coolibah Woodland showing the regeneration which is occurring along the water’s edge

as a result in a change of use (Photo: W Hawes)


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Groundcover in this community is made up of native grasses, low shrubs and forbs. The species composition is much the same as that described above for the River Red Gum-Coolibah Woodland away from the water’s edge.

Belah Open ForestThis community is generally associated with lower lying areas of grey clay subject to more frequent flooding, such as within open drainage depressions. This community is dominated by Belah, although on drier areas Whitewood may also be present.

The understorey layer (2 m to under the overstorey) is generally sparse and includes Bambul (Wild Orange) and Budda. A scattered layer of shrubs, (between 1-2 m in height) is present with plants occurring in patches or as scattered individuals. Common plants which occur within this layer at Boobera are; Tar Bush, Spotted Fuchsia and Spring Pod Cassia.

The groundcover layer in this community is variable. In more open areas the groundcover is similar to that described for other vegetation types at Boobera. However, in dense mono-specific stands of Belah groundcover is generally much sparser with large areas of bare ground and leaf litter (dead leaves, grass and twigs) common between grass tussocks and low shrubs. Species which occur in this community are again similar to those described for the vegetation communities described above.

Belah Open Forest occurs on the grey clay soils subject to more frequent flooding and/or waterlogging (Photo: W. Hawes)


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A weed is any plant growing somewhere it is not wanted.

In terms of the health and habitat value of bushland, weeds are often plants introduced from overseas. They may also be native plants introduced from other parts of Australia that don’t naturally occur in an area. Weeds which threaten bushland areas are called “environmental weeds”. In agriculture some native plants, which may naturally occur in an area, are regarded as weeds when they compete with crops or are undesirable for grazing or livestock.

Why are weeds important?Weeds invade native plant communities. They compete with native plants for space, light, water and soil nutrients. Often they replace native plants. This can reduce food resources (seed and nectar) and shelter for native animals, as well as threaten the functions of natural ecosystems (e.g. soil nutrient recycling).

How do weeds spread?There are many ways weeds can be introduced to an area including people, vehicles, livestock, water and wildlife.

Weed seeds often attach themselves to people’s clothing and animal fur and feathers. They can also be carried in soil on boots, hooves and the tyres of cars and machinery, as well as within the machinery itself (e.g. off-road vehicles, slashers, mowers and harvesters).

Livestock can not only carry weed seed in their fur and on the soil on their hooves but also in their digestive system, spreading weed seed to new areas in their dung. This is an important issue along Travelling Stock Reserves which contain some of our most valuable native vegetation remnants.

Water flows and floods can assist weed spread, often carrying weed seed and plant fragments long distances down rivers and creeks.

Weeds are also spread by the dumping of garden rubbish (lawn and tree cuttings) along roadsides and in bushland.

How to avoid weed spreadWeeds are favoured by changed environments. To prevent their spread we should avoid soil disturbance, the creation of patches of bare soil, addition of fertilisers or changes to surface water drainage.

Important environmental weeds in the Boobera Lagoon Reserve is Harrisia Cactus.

Harrisia Cactus

A native of South America, Harrisia Cactus was introduced to Queensland in the 1890s as a pot plant. It was first recognised as a serious pest in Queensland as early as 1935 and by the 1950s it was moving steadily south through Queensland. Currently infestations in NSW are restricted to the Boggabilla-Keetah area.

Weeds

Harrisia Cactus arrived at Boobera Lagoon sometime after 1993 and is now a serious weed


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This species poses a very serious environmental threat to native ecosystems and grazing pastures on the floodplains of northern NSW. It tends to form dense mats as its trailing branches take root wherever they touch the ground. These dense mats choke out native grasses, shrubs and pasture species.

The cactus is readily spread by seed and by branches that break off, take root and grow. The bright red fruit contain between 400-1000 small black seeds embedded in a sweet pulp. Its spread is enabled by birds, foxes, pigs, goannas and ants which eat the sweet pulp, while the spines help broken stem pieces attach to animal fur, people and vehicles.

Control of the cactus is difficult as it has a deep underground tuberous root system that allows it to readily reshoot should the above ground portion of the plant be damaged or destroyed.

Not present at Boobera Lagoon in 1993, this cactus arrived sometime in the last 17 years. Although the exact mechanism by which this plant came to be at the Lagoon is unknown it is likely its arrival was aided by travelling stock, and/or people and vehicles visiting Boobera Lagoon for recreation.

Other weeds

Weeping Willow, African Boxthorn, Prickly Pear, Tiger Pear, Noogoora Burr and Variegated Thistle.

Weed controlThe plan of management for Boobera Lagoon Reserve Area includes a weed control program to improve and maintain the natural values of the reserve area.


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Plant Species ListThe following is a selection of plants (flora) which, with the exception of threatened species, are commonly found at the Boobera Lagoon Reserve.

Common Name Scientific NameTreesBelah Casuarina cristataBimble Box Eucalyptus populneaCoolibah Eucalyptus coolabahIronwood Acacia excelsaRiver Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensisWhitewood Atalaya hemiglaucaLarge Shrubs & Small TreesAfrican Boxthorn * Lycium ferocissimum *Bambul (Wild Orange) Capparis mitchelliiBudda Eremophila mitchelliiKrui Owenia acidulaLignum Muhlenbeckia florulentaRiver Cooba Acacia stenophyllaWarrior Bush Apophyllum anomalumWestern Rosewood Alectryon oleifoliusWilga Geijera parvifloraLow ShrubsBlack Roly Poly Sclerolaena muricataBuckbush Salsola kali kaliGalvanised Burr Sclerolaena birchiiMimosa Vachellia farnesianaNampam (Nepine) Capparis lasianthaRuby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosaSpotted Fuchsia Eremophila maculataSpring Pod Cassia Senna circinnataStreaked Poverty Bush Sclerolaena tricuspisTar Bush Eremophila glabraThorny Saltbush Rhagodia spinescensGrassesBlown Grass Lachnagrostis filiformisCouch Cynodon dactylonCurly Windmill Grass Enteropogon acicularisFairy Grass Sporobolus caroliNative Bamboo Grass Austrostipa ramosissima

Common Name Scientific NameNative Millet Panicum decompositumNeverfail Eragrostis setifoliaQueensland Bluegrass Dichanthium sericeumSlender Bamboo Grass Austrostipa verticillataUmbrella Cane Grass Leptochloa digitataWarrego Summer Grass Paspalidium jubiflorumWallaby Grass Austrodanthoina spWeeping Lovegrass Eragrostis parvifloraWindmill Grass Chloris truncataForbsCommon Everlasting Daisy

Chrysocephalum apiculatum

Common Pigweed Portulaca oleraceaFuzzweed Vittadinia cuneataHarrisia Cactus * Harrisia martinii *Lamb’s Tails Ptilotus exaltatusNardoo Marsilea drummondiiNoogoora Burr * Xanthium occidentale *Pinrush Juncus sppPrickly Pear * Opuntia stricta *Tiger Pear * Opuntia aurantiaca *Sago Weed Plantago cunninghamiiVariegated Thistle * Silybum marianum *Warrigal Greens (New Zealand Spinach)

Tetragonia tetragonioides

Aquatic PlantsCumbungi Typha orientalisCommon Reed Phragmites australisPrince’s Plume Persicaria orientalisSmartweed Persicaria attenuataWeeping Willow * Salix spp*

* introduced species


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HabitatHabitat is the home of plants (flora) and animals (fauna). It is an area that provides all the things a plant or animal needs to live including space, shelter, food, water, mates and breeding sites.

Habitat for an animal or plant may be a small area. For example, a small lizard may live its whole life in and around a single tree. While for others, such as migratory birds and bats, their habitat may extend over hundreds even thousands of kilometers. Such an animal is the Superb Parrot, which breeds in the woodlands of the South-west Slopes of NSW during and summer. It then migrates to the woodlands of Namoi and Gwydir River floodplains to feed on flowering eucalypts and seeding native grasses over winter, returning to the South-west Slopes in late spring.

Boobera Lagoon has a variety of habitats including:

• River Red Gum – Coolibah Riparian Woodland

• Mixed Bimble Box Grassy Woodland

• Belah Open Forest

• Reed beds and aquatic vegetation

• Permanent open water

Within these habitats are a variety of elements which support a range of plants and animals.

Habitat Elements PresentA wide variety of tree and shrub species ensures there is a good supply of flowers, fruit and nectar throughout the year.

Native grassy groundcover is an important seed source for many birds (e.g. finches) and protects small animals from predators as they move around (e.g. small lizards)

Fallen logs and rocks provide shelter and can be a food source for many animals. The moister soil in and around fallen logs and rocks is often home to a range of different plants that are not found elsewhere.

Hollows in live and dead standing trees give shelter and are important breeding sites for many native animals such as possums, gliders, bats, parrots and owls.

Mistletoe is an important source of flowers, nectar and fruit, as well as providing nesting sites for many birds including the vulnerable Diamond Firetail and the endangered Regent Honeyeater.

Shrub cover gives protection and provides nesting sites for small birds (e.g. Superb Fairy Wren and Speckled Warbler).

Litter (dead grass, leaves and small twigs) give shelter and are a food source for lizards, insects and fungi.

Permanent and ephemeral creeks provide a home for a wide variety of birds, turtles, frogs and fish.

Habitat and Fauna

Vegetation at Boobera Lagoon provides a variety of habitat for flora and fauna (Photo W Hawes)


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Threatened Fauna Threatened fauna are animals listed under NSW or Commonwealth legislation. Species are generally listed as threatened when the loss of large areas of their habitat (due to clearing, grazing and pasture improvement) make it likely they will become extinct in the wild.

The variety of habitats at Boobera Lagoon, and its connection to the Macintyre River to the north and the Travelling Stock Reserve along the Boggabilla-Boomi Road, allow it to support a large number of animal species including some which are threatened. Threatened animals that have been recorded at Boobera include the Grey-crowned Babbler, Hooded Robin, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and Brolga.

Migratory BirdsAustralia is a signatory to a number of international migratory bird agreements including the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (RoKAMBA). The aim of these agreements is the protection of migratory birds in danger of extinction and their habitats. These agreements list terrestrial, water and shorebird species which migrate between Australia and the respective countries.

The habitat at Boobera Lagoon provides important roosting and feeding habitat for species listed under these agreements including the Cattle Egret, Great Egret and Rainbow Bee-eater.

Intermediate Egret (Photo: H. White)Brolga (Photo: I. Taylor) Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Photo I. Taylor)

Boobera Lagoon provides important habitat for threatened bird species


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Common Name Scientific NameArboreal (tree dwelling) MammalsCommon Brush-tail Possum

Trichosurus vulpecula

Sugar Glider Petaurus brevicepsTerrestrial (land dwelling) MammalsSwamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolorEastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteusShort-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatusBirds of PreyAustralian Kestrel Falco cenchroidesWedge-tail Eagle Aqulia audaxWoodland BirdsApostlebird Struthidea cinereaAustralian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen tibicenAustralian Magpielark Grallina cyanoleucaAustralian Raven Corvus coronoidesBlack-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereusBlue Bonnet Parrot Northiella haemogaster

haemotorrhus Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotisChestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialisCicadabird Coracina tenuirostisCockatiel Nymphicus hollandicusCrested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotesCommon Starling * Sturnus vulgaris *Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneataDouble-barred Finch Poephila bichenoviiEmu Dromaius novaehollandiaeFairy Martin Cecropis arielForest Kingfisher Halycon macleayiiGalah Eolophus roseicapillusGrey-crowned Babbler ^ Pomatostomus temporalis ^Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatusGrey Shrike-thrush Colluricincia harmonicaHooded Robin ^ Melanodryas cucullata ^Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea

Common Name Scientific NameKookaburra Dacelo novaeguineaeMallee Ring-necked Parrot Barnardius barnardiMasked Lapwing Vanellus milesNoisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatusNoisy Miner Manorina melanocephalaPale-headed Rosella Platycercus adscitusPied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularisRainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatusRed-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotusRed-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhyncus banksiiRed-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterusRufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventrisSpiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthogenys rufogularisStriped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolataSulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galeritaSuperb Fairy Wren Malurus cyaneusVariegated Fairy-wren Malurus lambertiWeebill Smicrornis brevirostisWelcome Swallow Hirundo neoxenaWhite-browed Woodswallow

Artamus superciliosus

White Plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatusWhite-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphosWhite-winged Fairy Wren Malurus leucopterus

leucopterusWhite-winged Triller Lalage sueuriiWillie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrysYellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoaYellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigulaWater BirdsAustralian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatusAustralian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubataBlack-fronted Plover Charadrius melanopsBlack-winged Stilt Himantopus leucocephalaBrolga ^ Grus rubicundus ^Cattle Egret Ardea ibis

Fauna Species List

The following is a selection of native animals (fauna) which have either been recorded at Boobera Lagoon or within adjoining habitat.


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Common Name Scientific NameDarter Anhinga melanogasterGreat Egret § Ardea modesta §

Grey Teal Anas gibberfronsIntermediate Egret § Ardea intermedia §

Little Egret Ardea garzettaLittle Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax

melanoleucosPacific Black Duck Anas superciliosaPied Cormorant Phalacrocorax variusManed Duck Chenonetta jubataRoyal Spoonbill Platalea regiaSacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicaWhite-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiaeYellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipesReptilesBroad-shelled River Turtle Chelodina expansaBurns’ Dragon Amphibolurus burnsiiBynoe’s Gecko Heteronotia binoeiDubious Dtella Gehyra dubiaEastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilisEastern Ranges Rock-skink Liopholis modestaEastern Stone Gecko Diplodactylus vittatusJacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatusLace Monitor Varanus variusMurray Turtle Emydura macquariiRed-bellied Black Snake Psuedechis porphyriacusSand Monitor Varanus gouldiiShingle-back Lizard Trachydosaurus rugosaSpotted Black Snake Pseudechis guttatusSouth-eastern Morethia Skink

Morethia boulengeri

Common Name Scientific NameFrogsBroad Palmed Frog Litoria latopalmataDesert Tree Frog Litoria rubellaSalmon-striped Frog Limnodynastes salminiSpotted Grass Frog Limnodynastes

tasmaniensisFishAustralian Smelt Retropinna semoniBony Bream Nematalosa erebiWestern Carp Gudgeon Hyseleotris klunzingeriGolden Perch Macquarie ambiguaSpangled Perch Leiopotherapon unicolorInvertebratesFreshwater Mussels Velesunio sppFreshwater Shrimp Macrobrachium sppYabby Cherax destructor

^ threatened species § migratory species* introduced species


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Why were they introduced?Domesticated animals (sheep, cattle, pigs, goats and horses) arrived in Australia with the First Fleet. Some of these animals escaped into the wild where they not only survived but bred, quickly spreading across the country side. More recent escapees that have established wild populations include honeybees, carp, cats, dogs, camels, deer, ostriches and donkeys.

Early European settlers also introduced a number of species (e.g. starlings, blackbirds and sparrows) to make the Australian environment feel more like home. While others such as rabbits, hares, foxes and trout were purposely released into the Australian environment for hunting or fishing. The cane toad was also deliberately released as a biological control for the cane beetle. It failed as a control method but has been a highly successful and invasive feral animal. Still other species such as rats, mice and fire ants have been accidently introduced, brought into Australia on ships and with imported produce.

Why are they a problem?Feral animals introduced to Australia generally have few natural predators or fatal diseases, and often successfully produce large numbers of offspring. This allows them to spread rapidly.

Australian native animals lived and evolved in relative isolation for millions of years. Since European settlement they have had to compete with feral animals for food, water, shelter and nesting sites. Predation from introduced cats, dogs and foxes has had a significant and detrimental impact on many native animal populations that previously had few large predators.

Feral animals often degrade native fauna habitat e.g. pigs dig up soil causing soil erosion and grazing by rabbits and hares removes food sources and shelter for other small mammals like bandicoots. For native animals the impact of feral animals is often made worse by the loss of habitat resulting from land clearing and degradation.

Feral animals also have the potential to spread disease to wildlife and livestock. The risk feral animals pose on native flora and fauna has been recognised by the listing of many of these species as a key threatening process under State and Commonwealth legislation.

Controlling feral animalsWhile it would be desirable to remove feral animals from the Australian environment, in most cases it is not achievable. Often the vast numbers of animals involved or the remoteness and inaccessibility of the area they inhabit make eradication expensive and ineffective.

A number of control methods are however available to control feral animal numbers or exclude them from particular areas, thereby reducing their impact on native flora and fauna. These methods include conventional control techniques and biological controls.

Conventional control methods are used to reduce feral animal populations or exclude animals from an area. Methods include trapping, baiting, fencing and shooting.

Feral animals

Feral goats occur across Australia (Photo: W Hawes)


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Biological controls generally involve using species specific diseases and or predators to reduce feral animal populations. For example, myxomatosis and calicivirus have been successful in reducing rabbit populations.

Important feral animals at Boobera Lagoon include:

European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Introduced from Europe into Victoria in 1871 for recreational hunting the fox rapidly spread across the Australian mainland. Tasmania remained fox free until 2001, when it was deliberately and unlawfully introduced to the island state.

The fox is considered responsible for the decline and extinction of many native ground dwelling mammals in the weight range 35 to 5,500 grams. Foxes carry many diseases that can infect both native wildlife and domestic animals (and particularly dogs), including hydatids, distemper, parvovirus, canine hepatitis, heartworm and sarcoptic mange.

The fox has been successful in Australia because it has a wide-ranging diet that includes mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects and fruit. It is generally not restricted by climate or landscape type and can be found in all environments except the tropical north. Although litters are small and females only breed once a year, a lack of any serious diseases or major predators means cub survival rates are high. All these factors allow for unchecked population growth, although dingoes are thought to control fox numbers where they occur.

Historically bounty systems (hunters paid for each animal killed) were used to reduce fox numbers together with a range of control techniques e.g. shooting, poisoning and trapping. Bounties have had limited success mainly because control actions generally occur where foxes are easiest to collect rather than where they are causing most damage. In more recent years the use of poisons such as 1080 are recommended to reduce fox populations, with other options including shooting, trapping and fumigation.

Other feral animals present

Feral cat, Brown Hare, House Mouse, Rabbit, Feral Pigeon, Feral Pig and Common Carp.

1080 poisoning is the recommended control method for foxes

(Photo: W Hawes)


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Much of the biodiversity within Grassy Box Woodland lies within the groundcover layer. In healthy woodland this vegetation layer supports a wide variety of native plants and animals. Tall grass tussocks provide shelter for small mammals, reptiles and ground-nesting birds. Native grasses and forbs are also an important food source (forage, seeds, fruit and nectar) for a wide range of animals (kangaroos, finches and insects). Between the grass tussocks dead plant material (litter) is recycled by invertebrates, fungi and bacteria to provide soil nutrients and maintain soil structure.

The aim of this activity is to give students an appreciation of the components of the groundcover layer and the variety of plants it supports.

ActivityStudents should select a site within a natural area of Grassy Box Woodland or Derived Grassland. When selecting their site it is important they avoid disturbed areas ie near tracks, roads, car parks, play equipment and park furniture. These areas will generally have more weeds, less native species and litter and therefore be of poorer habitat quality.

Having selected a site, students should toss or drop their hoola-hoop onto the ground while avoiding throwing it over large shrubs and young trees. Looking closely at what lies within the hoop they should use the Activity Recording Sheet to identify and record:

• How many different types of plants are present.• Are the plants grasses, forbs or low shrubs.• Is litter (dead grass, leaves and small twigs) present.• Are larger fallen branches or logs present.• Any animals (e.g. insects or lizards) they see.

Students should count how many different plants they found in their hoop.

Having completed their activity sheet the group should come together to compare results. Are the results the same? If not, what are the differences and why do they exist? For example, often the number and types of groundcover plants will be different under a tree than in an open area. These variations result from differences in nutrient, water and light availability and are important in adding to the diversity of the woodland ecosystem. Ask student’s to consider if there is anything that could be done to improve the habitat value of the groundcover.

If time allows a second site in a more highly disturbed area can be undertaken to provide a comparison of different management regimes. Degraded sites can be found adjacent to tracks or within the mown picnic area. Students can compare their findings, identify differences and discuss the relative habitat values of the two areas, i.e. would they be able to support the same animal species? If not, why not?

Student ActivityLooking at Vegetation Structure & Habitat

Skills Required

• Basic counting

• Ability to visually identify differences in plant types

• Ability to record numbers

Time Needed

10-20 minutes

Equipment Required

• 1 hoola-hoop between two–three Pencil

• Activity Recording Sheet for each group

• Plant identification guides or resources (optional)


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Toss or drop your hoop onto the ground and look at what is inside your hoop.

For each different type of plant you can see fill in a row in the table below, circling the most fitting plant type and plant height.

Plant Number

Plant Type* (Circle the best fit)

Plant Height (Circle the best fit) Number of these plants present

1 Grass Forb Low Shrub 0-30cm / 30-100cm












Is there litter (dead grass, leaves and twigs) between the plants? Yes / No

Are there larger fallen logs present? Yes / No

Did you see any animals in your hoop? Yes / No

If yes, list the animals you saw:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How many different types of plants did you see in your hoop? . . . . . . . .

Do you think the groundcover in your hoop is good habitat? Yes / No

Give two reasons for your answer to the last question

1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Plant Types:Grass: long narrow leaves often forming tussocks or clumps with no obvious flowersForb: soft plants with a variety of leaf shapes that during spring and summer have obvious flowers e.g. dandelions Low Shrub: a plant with a woody stem less than 1 m tall that during spring and summer will have obvious flowers

Looking at Groundcover

Activity Recording Sheet


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Austin, P.K. (undated) The Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) Language, northern New South Wales – A Brief History of Research. SOAS, University of London

Balme, J. (1985) A Preliminary Archaeological Assessment of the Moree Plains Shire Council Region in Murray-Darling Basin Aboriginal Burials Conservation Project Goondiwindi Workshop Handbook (1994). Murray-Darling Basin Commission

Department of Conservation and Land Management (1993) Boobera Lagoon – Environmental Audit. Inverell Research Service Centre, Inverell NSW

Department of Environment Climate Change and Water (1998) Predation by European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). Key Threatening Process listing. http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au

Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2004) European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). Invasive Species Factsheet. http://www.environment.gov.au

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (2010) Threatened Species Profiles. http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au

North West Weeds (2010) Harrisia Cactus. http://www.northwestweeds.nsw.gov.au

NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Coolibah-Black Box Woodland of the Northern Riverine Plains and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions. Endangered Ecological Community listing – final determination. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (2007) Harrisia Cactus. Fact Sheet: Invasive plants and animals. http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au

Saunders, G., Coman, B., Kinnear, J. and Braysher, M. (1995) Managing Vertebrate Pests: Foxes. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra. http://205.186.139.30/managing-vertebrate-pests-foxes/

Information Sources


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Arboreal: Living in trees.

Aquatic: Living in water.

Biodiversity: The variety of all living things. It includes animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and viruses, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.

Canopy: The leaves and branches of trees and shrubs.

Derived Grassland: Is grassland created by the removal of the tree and shrub layers of a woodland or forest.

Domesticated: Animals that live with and are dependent upon humans e.g. livestock and pets.

Dominant: The most common plant species.

Ecosystem: Is the combination of plants, animals and micro-organisms that depend on each other and the non-living environment (soils, geology, climate) they need to live.

Erosion: Is the movement of soil and rocks by water or wind. The roots of plants (trees, shrubs and grasses) hold soil and rocks in place. If there are large areas of bare dirt and only a few plants then erosion can happen very fast.

Feral animals: Animals brought to Australia from elsewhere in the world that have been released or escaped into the bush where they survive and breed independently of humans.

Forb: A small non-woody plant that is not a grass e.g. lilies, orchids, daisies, sedges.

Forest: Vegetation where the canopies of the tallest trees mostly touch or overlap.

Fragmentation: The process whereby native vegetation or habitat is cleared across most of the land so that only small patches of native vegetation remain. The large areas of cleared land between patches make it hard for lots of plants and animals to move across the land to find food, shelter, nesting sites and mates.

Grassland: A plant community that has a grassy groundcover but no tree or shrub layers.

Groundcover: Plants up to 1 m tall which cover the ground.

Habitat: The home of plants or animals. It provides plants or animals with space, shelter, food, water and breeding sites.

Introduced species: Plants and animals brought to Australia from elsewhere.

Landscape Connectivity: Describes how connected habitat is for plants and animals. For example, is native vegetation in isolated patches or are there large patches of vegetation remaining and are these patches connected by corridors of native vegetation? Good connectivity allows plants and animals to move across the landscape to find food, shelter and breeding sites. Good connectivity is important in maintaining the health of our natural ecosystems.

Litter: Dead grass, leaves and small twigs found on the ground.

Mistletoe: Partially parasitic plants which live on the branches of trees and shrubs.

Native: Plants or animals present in Australia at the time of European settlement.

Organism: A living being.

Glossary


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Overstorey: The layer of tallest trees.

Parasite: A plant or animal that lives and feeds off another.

Predators: Animals which hunt other animals for food.

Riparian: Any land or vegetation which adjoins or is directly influenced by a body of water (river, lake, creek).

Species: Types of plants or animals.

Spp: More than one type of plant or animal species.

Terrestrial: Living on land.

Threatened Ecological Community: A plant community listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) or Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). These listings, also known as Endangered Ecological Communities, protect all parts of the community (trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs) as well as any habitat elements (fallen logs, rocks, leaf litter, standing dead trees).

Understorey: The plant layer below the canopy but taller than 2 m in height.

Vegetation: Another term for plants.

Weeds: In environmental terms (and in this document) weeds are introduced plants which invade and often replace native plant species threatening the functions of natural ecosystems. In agriculture, some native plants are regarded as weeds when they compete with crops or are undesirable for grazing or livestock.

Woodland: Vegetation where the canopies of the tallest trees are mostly not touching. If the canopies of the tallest trees are very widely spaced then the vegetation is open woodland.


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Student Notes

Catchment Management AuthorityBorder Rivers-Gwydir

Inverell

15 Vivian Street | PO Box 411 Inverell NSW 2360T: 02 6728 8020F: 02 6728 8098

Moree

66-68 Frome Street | PO Box 569 Moree NSW 2400T: 02 6757 2550F: 02 6757 2570

Glen Innes

68 Church Street | PO Box 380 Glen Innes NSW 2370T: 02 6732 2992F: 02 6732 5995

Armidale

UNE Trevenna Road | PO Box U245 Armidale NSW 2351T: 02 6773 5269F: 02 6773 5288

Goondiwindi

Waggamba Square, Brook Street Goondiwindi QLD 4390T: 07 4671 7960F: 07 4671 2966

W: www.brg.cma.nsw.gov.au E: [email protected] We work to help people in our communities look after their land for future generations.

http://brg.cma.nsw.gov.au

mailto:[email protected]

biodiversity education package - boobera lagoon

Documents

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excursion site

site information

catchment context

gwydir catchments

excursion packagecompiled

distance of site

site descriptions