Due to the presence of water and nutrients, vegetation fringing a waterway (riparian vegetation) often supports significant plant communities that are generally denser, faster growing and have a greater number of layers or strata, than adjacent plant communities. Riparian vegetation plays an important role in keeping waterways healthy by, for instance: limiting sedimentation and nutrient enrichment; helping to control weeds; controlling erosion and providing bank stability; trapping sediment and pollutants; and, providing habitat and habitat corridors.
The book ‘Managing our Rivers: a guide to the nature and management of the streams of south-west Western Australia’ [hyperlink to e-book] by Luke J. Pen is an excellent source of information; Chapter 4: The value of fringing vegetation is particularly relevant.
Algae are aquatic plants that grow in waterways and are a natural part of the stream ecosystem. They include microscopic plants called phytoplankton and large plants often referred to as macroalgae (seaweeds). Algae are important because they play a role in the production of organic matter through photosynthesis and they also oxygenate the water. Human activities, such as increasing nutrient flows and reducing the flow of water entering waterways, can upset the balance of waterways and create favourable conditions for algae to grow rapidly which consequently causes problems. Macrophytes actually include macroalgae but more commonly refer to complex aquatic plants such as aquatic ferns and flowering plants, such as seagrasses (Source: River Science Issue 3: Algal blooms in the Swan-Canning estuary).
Listed on this page are various publications that the Department has produced to provide further information on topics relating to riparian and aquatic flora. These publications include a guide to Native vegetation and creeks of south Western Australia and a guide to Native vegetation of estuaries and saline waterways of south Western Australia.
Riparian Plants of the Avon Catchment: a field guide gives a brief pictorial and textual description of some of the native plant species found in riparian areas of the Avon River Basin. It is hoped that this guide will allow easier identification of riparian species as well as assisting with choosing the best plants for riparian revegetation within your area.
Riparian plants of the Avon Catchment lists the plant families found in the Avon catchment. Under each family there is a list of species that belong in that family. Click on the family or species name to obtain photos of the plant, its common names, information on identifying the plant, where it is commonly found and points on its use in a revegetation program.
Orders for the book Riparian Plants of the Avon Catchment, a field guide can be placed through the Toodyay Friends of the River. The guide costs $25 for a hard copy.
PO Box 427 TOODYAY WA 6566
Ph: (08) 9574 5574
Email: admin@toodyaylandcare.org.au
Payment by cash, money order or cheque made payable to 'Toodyay Friends of the River'.