Fauna |
Flora |
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Deans Creek Estuary
The lake margins at the estuary contain a similar array of species as that found at the sailing club. Although, a number of factors such as its distance from the urban area, a greater size and the fact it has escaped any grazing or slashing pressure for a period of over a decade has lead to this section of the foreshore retaining a greater amount of indigenous vegetation.
The Deans Creek Estuary would make a good area for revegetation works. A simple program of weed reduction coupled with planting of local indigenous species could within a very short time add greatly to the biodiversity of the site and importantly the water quality of the lake.
The most eye-catching feature of the creek is the large stands of Bolboschoenus found throughout the ephemeral zones (areas that are periodically inundated) besides the wetland. Creeping throughout this zone of sedges are once again large stands of Swamp Bindweed Calystegia sepium.
Hidden amongst the larger vegetation can be found Spike Rush, most likely the Common Spike rush or Eleocharis acuta. This species can often be over looked as a grass species and is in fact a small sedge species of approx 30 cm in height. In the warmer months, a small flower head appears along the last five or so centimeters of its stem.
A small very green, carpet like species forming mats of vegetation can be found here and is the Swamp stonecrop Crassula helmsii. This species is unmistakable and can be seen flowering from November to April.
Once again, a species of Water ribbon can be found growing amongst the Bolboschoenus. Slender Knotweed Persicaria decipiens can also be found growing here. This attractive, spreading semi aquatic herb with its long drooping pink flowers and large 'thumb prints' upon its leaves are used heavily by water fowl as its seeds are an important food source for birdlife This species can grow into spectacular showy drifts under the right conditions.
Again, throughout this community, Common Reed Phragmites australis and a Cumbungi species Typha can be found, with the Common Reed being far more dominant.
Once again, an obvious example of zoning can be seen along Deans Creek where a few hardy, scattered Rushes, Juncus species can be seen just above that of the more water loving Bolboschoenus. These are quite possibly remnant examples of Rushes that would have grown besides the watercourse in the past.
It could be expected, following the implementation of a management plan for the site, such species would dramatically increase as weeds are removed. At present weedy grasses and Thistle species cover a large degree of this zone and their removal would be of great benefit to local species.
Found clambering amongst the Rushes is Bidgee-widgee Acaena nova-zelandiae, a small ground covering plant, extremely useful for colonizing-disturbed areas. This plant is particularly good at covering spaces often used by weeds between larger species and as well suited to any revegetation project. Bidgee-widgee is easily identified by its large red-brown burrs, which tend to stick to any article of clothing within reach. This plant was used by early European settlers as a tea substitute.
Larger, more terrestrial (ground dwelling) species such as relevant trees and shrubs tend to be absent from the site and would need to be reintroduced. Once again, local plants should be used to ensure the integrity of the site.