|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Lake
Mokoan Trial to Impede Spread of Phalaris |
|
What
is Phalaris? |
 |
|
|
Flooding |
|
|
|
 |
|
Trials to control the spread of Phalaris throughout areas
of Lake Mokoan in preparation for its return to a natural
wetland have commenced.
Lake Mokoan Project Director, David Jeffery, said a 40-hectare
controlled burn was successfully undertaken in late May
2006.
The burn was coordinated by Goulburn-Murray Water with the
assistance of the Country Fire Authority, Parks Victoria
and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
"The management of pest plants, in particular Phalaris,
is an important issue and the trials will allow us to monitor
the success of a number of different management regimes
leading up to rehabilitation of the wetland system in 2009,"
Mr Jeffery said.
"It is extremely important to impede the spread of
Phalaris into areas identified for the wetland as it is
likely to have an impact on native revegetation as the lake
recedes."
A combination of controlled burning and grazing will be
undertaken within a number of different study areas to monitor
the weed's rate of spread.
"Thanks to the combined expertise of the fire services,
the burn effectively reduced the amount of Phalaris in the
area prior to the reintroduction of grazing."
A number of key weeds of concern were recently identified
in an ecological study undertaken by Ecology Australia as
part of the Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy.
"The establishment of effective, ongoing weed management
plans for the control of these weeds, including Phalaris,
will be considered as part of the wetland rehabilitation
plan," Mr Jeffery said.
"Goulburn-Murray Water will continue to seek specialist
advice for immediate actions to bring the further spread
of Phalaris under control."
|
 |
|
 |
|
Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) is a winter growing perennial
grass. Native to the mediterranean region and a favoured
pasture species for sheep and cattle. Phalaris is quite
hardy, tolerating moderate levels of salinity, waterlogging
and the most drought tolerant pasture grass.
A weed is a plant growing where it is not a native species.
Phalaris, while a useful pasture species, is considered
an environmental weed in natural areas as it can colonise
large areas and out-compete native plant species.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The decommissioning of Lake Mokoan has raised concerns regarding
the flooding of the Broken River system.
Currently, Lake Mokoan can play only a minor role in reducing
floods on the Broken River in Benalla. The return of Mokoan
to a natural wetland system will not have a significant
impact on flooding regimes. The potential for change in
minor flood levels as a result of the Mokoan - Return to
Wetland Project has been investigated by the Goulburn-Broken
Catchment Management Authority, the responsible authority
for floodplain management in the Broken River Basin. Findings
are now being presented to the community for comment.
Flow
Regime Fact Sheet – Mokoan – return to wetland
flooding impacts.
The variation in river flow, including the minor flooding
that may result from returning the natural wetland system
is the key in maintaining river and floodplain health and
is recognised as an important environmental benefit.
Rehabilitation of the wetlands will have no impact on levels
during major flood events.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|