What makes a swamp swampy? Water regime and the botany of endangered wetlands in western Victoria

摘要: Freshwater temporary wetlands are a little-studied ecosystem worldwide. They have been recognised as critically endangered in south-eastern Australia under Australian biodiversity conservation legislation. However, little has recorded about their hydrology, functioning or values; i.e. the factors that make them intrinsically ‘swampy’. In this paper, we developed simple threshold model of wetland hydrology based on historical rainfall records and calculated evaporation matched to recollections owners swamps, documented water-plant microalgal species richness. The indicated swamps were inundated at least 10-cm depth an average 6.3 years per decade for most 20th century. dry time between inundations was 1.27 (maximum 4.5 years). Since 1998, frequency inundation appears decreased, times increased. Despite, because of, nature, these high values among vegetation microalgae, more than near-by permanent wetlands. There is no evidence drier warmer climate will negative impact however, land management likely be important maintaining systems changes.