Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
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What makes a good waterway?
In a nutshell
A good waterway will typically have several or all of the following features:
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appropriate fencing to either exclude or control stock access and limit the amount
of grazing and trampling pressure
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areas of native vegetation including large trees, understorey trees and shrubs, and
native ground cover
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areas of native vegetation that extend into a water body, including wetland vegeta-
tion and emergent water plants
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places that vary in the rate of stream flow and vary in water depth
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some submerged or semi-submerged fallen logs, known as snags, and branches
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protection from fire and chemical spray drift.
Introduction
The wet areas on a farm can include streams and creeks, natural wetlands, farm
dams and irrigation channels. Significant amounts of biodiversity can be
associated with these areas. Like all of the other key features of farms, how
waterways are managed can have a highly significant effect on their suitability for
wildlife.
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This chapter focuses on the attributes of a good waterway on a farm. Our
discussion encompasses streams and creeks, natural wetlands, and farm dams.
Most of the discussion is on terrestrial animals (particularly birds) that use
streams, wetlands, farm dams, and irrigation channels. We are acutely aware of the
