Conference
Program
Aligned with the 2025 Ramsar theme 'Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future', our conference unfolds in four dynamic half-day sessions: Emerging Horizons, Shaping the Future, Challenges into Triumphs, and From Ideas to Action.
These sessions bring together leading wetland scientists, managers, academics, and artists to showcase: Groundbreaking research, innovative management practices and inspiring case studies. Together, these stories and solutions shape a shared vision for wetland conservation and sustainability.
EMERGING HORIZONS
Day 1 | Morning
Thursday, 6th February 2025
SHAPING THE FUTURE
Day 1 | Afternoon
Thursday, 6th February 2025
CHALLENGES INTO TRIUMPHS
Day 2 | Morning
Friday, 7th February 2025
FROM IDEAS TO ACTION
Day 2 | Afternoon
Friday, 7th February 2025
EMERGING HORIZONS SESSION
Day 1 | Morning | Thursday, 6th February 2025
This session will explore forward-thinking approaches to bolstering wetland resilience in the face of emerging challenges. Anchored in innovation and adaptability, it will delve into strategies that address the dynamic complexities of wetlands in a changing climate.
Keynote
Knowing Living Water – Ecological Wetlands
Yi-Martuwarra people of Martuwarra Fitzroy River share an alternative understanding to the scientific hydrogeological knowledge to share their deep-time wisdom and practice in understanding ‘ecologically and culturally’ significant wetlands as living water systems. Our duty of care is the protection and wellbeing of everyone and everything around us. The senior elders believe this approach can inform extractive and exploitative interests in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River.
In this alternative view, developed on a foundation of ancestral personhood, we tease out the entangled skeins of Martuwarra knowledges, languages, deep histories, and stories, to propose a just and equitable approach to groundwater extraction and the importance of co-governance in water planning, extraction, and management for the region. In developing this vision for place-based River governance, we highlight the critical role that Martuwarra Indigenous worldviews and ancient knowledges and practices have in shaping understandings of the River ecosystem. Importantly, this intergenerational knowledge is vital to protecting and caring for these living water systems and their connectivity to the wellbeing of Country, people, biodiversity, and our non-human kin.
Presentations 1
Maintaining biodiversity in the Ramsar-listed Toolibin Lake
Characteristics and classification of estuaries in south-western Australia
Estuaries are dynamic ecosystems located at the interface of freshwater and marine environments and are influenced by processes occurring in the catchment and ocean. These systems are therefore difficult to define and highly diverse, yet they support a distinct fauna and provide considerable ecosystem services. Numerous attempts have been made to classify estuaries, with most operating at the regional scale in South Africa and Australia. Classification schemes have been developed for estuaries in south-western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and for South Africa. This study aimed to identify all estuaries along the microtidal coastline of south-western Australia using scientific/ grey literature and virtual globes. A total of 154 estuaries were identified and a suite of information on their characteristics measured were obtained from the literature and virtual globes. Using the quantitative data, estuaries were grouped into 10 categories, i.e. ephemeral, micro-estuary, estuarine-lake, morphologically-open, permanently-open shallow, permanently-open deep, predominantly-open, annually-open basin, annually-open linear and normally-closed. These groups reflect differences in the size, shape, extent of connectivity to the ocean and permanency. The effectiveness of the proposed classification scheme was tested against four previous classification schemes using quantitative data on the physical characteristics of all 154 estuaries and, where data were available, on their fish (24 estuaries) and benthic macroinvertebrate faunas (10 estuaries). The south-western Australian classification developed in the current study performed more strongly than the schemes currently used locally, i.e. estuary type and geomorphic type that focused predominantly on a single aspect of estuaries, e.g. bar status and geomorphology, respectively. Moreover, they were more appropriate than schemes developed for microtidal estuaries in other parts of Australia and South Africa.
Presentations 2
Assessing biogeochemical recovery in restored saltmarshes
Next generation environmental monitoring: a taxon-independent index for the biomonitoring of wetlands
Wetlands are in decline globally yet current monitoring methods are system-specific, yield non-comparable results or rely on a few groups that may not be responsive indicators of environmental stress. Building on the success of taxon-independent indices in New Zealand rivers, this project seeks to advance wetland monitoring in Western Australia through the development of the AqWATIC (Aquatic Ecology of Western Australia via Taxon-Independent Classifications) Index. The AqWATIC index will be constructed using environmental DNA (eDNA) sequence data generated from a suite of different metabarcoding assays from water samples collected across wetlands of varying levels of disturbance (e.g. eutrophication, invasive species and habitat modification) in south-western Australia. The preliminary ‘panel’ of 14 metabarcoding assays targets organisms from across the tree of life including microbes (bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes), higher-order plants, fungi, invertebrates and vertebrates. The obtained sequences will be clustered into amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and assigned indicator scores using the iterative Chessman process, which evaluates their presence across a disturbance gradient. The AqWATIC index will then be correlated against an aquatic invertebrate pollution index and a suite of water quality metrics to determine whether the AqWATIC index score correlates with standard predictors of ecosystem quality. Preliminary data suggests that the AqWATIC index significantly negatively correlates with the presence of invasive fish and negatively correlates with measures of eutrophication. This index is expected to provide a tool for comparable, cost-efficient assessments of wetland condition, addressing the urgent need for universally applicable and affordable environmental monitoring approaches.
Presentations 3
Ashfield Flats Hydrological Study: Changing terrestrial and estuarine hydrological processes of a temperate estuarine salt
Ashfield Flats Hydrological Study was conducted by DBCA to evaluate the dominant processes contributing to sustaining the largest remaining salt marsh ecosystem in the Swan Canning Estuary. The site, situated in the upper reaches of the estuary, is influenced by numerous hydrological factors including groundwater discharge, urban drainage, river flows, and a multitude of coastal processes such as tides, storm surge, and sea-level rise. This study shows the influence of tides and river flows on the wetland's hydrology and its relevance to the salt marsh habitat. It also illustrates how the drying climate and sea-level rise are changing the balance of relevant processes. Modelled impacts of climate change are used to explore possible futures of the site and the implications for the wetland community that it currently supports.
Anstey-Keane Dampland: A Haven for Wildlife
The Anstey-Keane Dampland in Forrestdale (Bush Forever Site 342) is a 308ha nature reserve within the Jandakot Regional Park. It supports five floristic communities which contain a rich and unique range of flora and fauna and it is recognised as one of the most significant damplands on the Swan Coastal Plain. Anstey-Keane contains three threatened ecological communities and more than 380 species of flora and 96 species of birds. This site is indeed a biological treasure, but it was not always appreciated for its biodiversity. In the past it was subjected to various indignities including partial clearing, drainage, pig farming, infrastructure corridors, off-road vehicle use, and it was once earmarked as a future industrial estate. In recent years there were threats from a proposed extension of Keane Road and a wastewater pipeline was constructed through the reserve to service surrounding urban development. Due to the efforts of the Friends of Forrestdale the environmental values of this reserve were documented and publicised and used to avert or moderate these threats to the integrity of the reserve. Today the Anstey-Keane Reserve is reasonably secure and highly valued by the scientific community and the local residents.
This case study will illustrate how careful citizen science, combined with community activism can be effective in conserving our wetlands and biodiversity.
Presentations 4
Detection and Identification of Wetlands Birds using Ultrahigh-Resolution Digital Aerial Video Footage
Australia’s wetlands are vital habitats for many bird species, including migratory waterfowl and waders, with 12 internationally recognized Ramsar sites in Western Australia alone. However, the vast and remote nature of these wetlands poses significant challenges for effective monitoring. Traditional ground-based surveys are limited to relatively small, accessible areas. Observer-based aerial surveys can cover larger areas but are constrained by limited observation periods and low-altitude flights, disturbing bird populations and introducing bias into species abundance and distribution estimates. Digital aerial surveys can overcome these challenges, providing an efficient method for covering wide areas with minimal disturbance. HiDef Aerial Surveying’s specialized video camera system captures ultrahigh-resolution footage at 1.7 cm ground sample distances (GSD) from 500 m flight altitude, and down to 1 cm at lower altitudes. Proven in both onshore and offshore settings, this system utilizes angled, rotatable cameras that reduce glare and capture oblique views for improved bird detection and identification. Our system captures 6-8 frames per second, allowing multiple images of each bird, improving identification compared to the limited observation time in visual surveys. Additionally, the digital data enables rigorous QA procedures, ensuring consistent species identification and reducing observer bias. HiDef is also incorporating AI technology to streamline species detection. Digital aerial surveys enable efficient, large-scale monitoring across Western Australia’s wetlands, including marshes, mudflats, floodplains, and billabongs. This data can inform management plans, supporting conservation goals and Ramsar commitments by providing robust data on bird abundance, distribution, and habitat use.
Turtles, Citizen Science, Community and Conservation. We can do this!
Do not underestimate the power of Citizen Science and Community Action!
Transitioning from the Bibra Lake Turtle Trackers, now known as the Walliabup Wildlife Warriors (WWW) and operating within the Wetlands Conservation Society, our current group protecting turtle populations in this area is part of a long history of the conservation outcomes that can be achieved through community participation.
38 years ago it was the Waterbird Conservation Group that formed to rescue birds affected by botulism and morphed into an advocacy group that promoted improved wetland management and drove the ban on duck shooting in Western Australia. More recently the Fairy Tern Network has been instrumental with the protection and advocacy for vulnerable nesting sites.
This presentation will be an update on the activities of WWW and highlight the urgent need to address climate change mitigation actions, including feral animal control, to avoid local extinctions of turtles and other wildlife species.
Citizen Scientists and the Community have a legitimate voice in this process. In fact once again, it may be the community that leads the way.
We Can do this!
SHAPING THE FUTURE SESSION
Day 1 | Afternoon | Thursday, 6th February 2025
Highlighting the transformative potential of collaboration, this session will examine how leadership, policy, and community action intersect to drive meaningful change. It will showcase the synergies required to build a sustainable future for wetlands.
Keynote
Wetlands under urbanisation and climate change: the way forward
The combined effects of climate change and urbanisation are serious stressors on wetland ecosystems of the Swan Coastal Plain. With a 15% reduction in rainfall, 80% reduction in runoff and competition for their sustaining groundwaters for human use, permanent wetlands have become seasonal, while seasonal wetlands display reduced water depths and increasing duration of dry periods. Throw clearing, habitat modification, invasive species, polyphagous shot-hole borer into the mix and the prognosis looks bleak for wetland biodiversity.
The history of wetland loss in Perth is one of changing human attitudes to these essential ecosystems, and it is social values that provide hope for the future. Now with desalination importing 38 GL of water per day from the ocean, urban greening a hot topic to reduce the urban heat island effect and with increasing community interest in conservation of endangered species, we have capacity to sustain our remaining wetlands with innovative thinking and novel approaches. This talk outlines a brief history of our urban wetlands and then looks at our capacity to sustain them using a flagship species, the southwestern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina oblonga) to highlight the perils and hopes ahead.
Panel Discussion
Presentations 1
Perth South West Sediment Snapshot: A Case Study in Collaboration
Rising Tides Studio: collaborative visions for our future coasts
Coastal zones, including coastal wetlands, are experiencing increasing pressure from the impacts of climate change, environmental change, and population growth. Developing new visions for their long-term future that respond to community values and projected changes can be challenging. The Rising Tides Studio presents a new and exciting approach to synthesising community engagement, physical science and landscape architecture, with the goal of providing creative visions for future coastal resilience. Arts-based workshops were conducted in the City of Cockburn in July 2024, with community members asked to express what is important to them about the coastal region. Key themes from the workshops and courses in nature-based engineering formed integrated briefs for a series of landscape architecture studios at the UWA School of Design, guided by Daniel Jan Martin and Rosie Halsmith. With an absence of diverse, nature-based visions for our coastal zones, the work of the Rising Tides Studio is helping to create a dialogue about coastal futures with the community, and inform policy, planning and decisions for areas undergoing rapid change.
Presentations 2
In Typha's defence: Does the cost of bulrush control out way the benefits?
Typha (T. domingenisis; T. orientalis) or bulrushes, are common in wetlands across Western Australia’s Swan Coastal Plain, displaying an exceptional level of niche optimization in disturbed and urban contexts. Despite being native, typha is routinely controlled in an effort to maintain the functionality of artificial drainage systems and also prevent its often competitive colonization of wetland restoration projects. But does the cost of control outweigh the benefits? In this presentation bias against typha is challenged through both ecological and economic lenses. With a shift in perspective, the autonomous contribution typha makes to water quality and biodiversity could instead be appreciated as a net positive for urban ecosystem management efforts.
Watermarked by the Wetlands’ Wild Wisdom: between the lines of Annamaria Weldon's nature writing
To present a selection of readings from my Yalgorup Wetlands poems and prose (2009-2024), illustrated with my photographs of thrombolites, flora, fauna, water-bodies, each text introduced with a short exegesis of its specific content – cultural, botanical, zoological, geographic, aesthetic, communal. For the past 15 years I have shared this wholistic approach to wetlands knowledge through my art practices, which emerge from the intersection of nature and creativity. I have introduced people of all abilities and walks of life to the natural treasure which is Yalgorup wetlands. All my work – poetry, non-fiction prose and photography - is informed by the scientific, international, aesthetic, local traditional cultural, and contemporary community significance of the RAMSAR listed Yalgorup National Park and the rivers of the Pinjarra region. It was the basis of my extensive community mentoring, educational programs and cross-sector creative collaborations, during 5 years (2009-2014) as Writer in Residence at UWA’s SymbioticA Adaptation project, Mandurah and RAMSAR-listed Yalgorup Wetlands, where I undertook field research with local experts for my book The Lake’s Apprentice (UWAP 2014). I’d select these texts for my presentation: 'Threshold Country' - 2011 winner of the inaugural prize for nature writing awarded by the Nature Conservancy; After Devotion Wetlands poem short-listed for the 2012 Peter Porter Poetry Prize; 'The Memory of Earth' (winner of the Tom Collins poetry prize 2011); 'At Lake Clifton - again' (Cuttlefish anthology of WA Poets 2023; Sick AF exhibition, current, Fremantle 2024; a prose paragraph from my book 'The Lake's Apprentice' (UWAP 2014)
Case Study
Restoring Lake Claremont ' A never ending story
This is the latest chapter in one of the largest urban restoration projects in Australia. Lake Claremont, a seasonal wetland, was nearly obliterated in the last century – for market gardens, housing, and playing fields. Since the closure of one of the golf courses in 2009, the Friends of Lake Claremont have won over $750,000 in grants and led thousands of volunteers to convert 12 ha of the park back to native bushland.
All was going well until the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer was detected at the lake in 2022. Dozens of mature trees around Lake Claremont have subsequently been removed by DPIRD in their attempts to eradicate the pest- which now seems unlikely.
Unfortunately, the borer has also infested local plant species including some of the oldest freshwater paperbarks: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla. One of the most majestic trees over 300 years-old at Lake Claremont is threatened.
There is an upside. There are now large open areas where exotic trees have been lost that can be restored with native vegetation including groundcover and shrubs. This will have a positive impact providing more habitat for wildlife, improving the function of the area as a regional ecological corridor and making the park more beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
The talk will detail the recent tree losses in the area, the current restoration plans and recent work accomplished, and identify the challenges ahead.
It is so important to remain positive and share these inspirational stories if we are to conserve our wetlands into the future.
CHALLENGES INTO TRIUMPHS SESSION
Day 2 | Morning | Friday, 7th February 2025
This session will celebrate inspiring examples of conservation efforts that have turned obstacles into opportunities. By spotlighting achievements and lessons learned, it will provide a platform for shared experiences and enduring impacts in wetland restoration.
Keynote
Building resilience of river ecosystems to a dryer and hotter climate
Western Australia’s south-west has dried at one of the fastest rates on the planet. Since the 1970s, rainfall has declined by over 20% and average temperature has increased by around 1°C. During this period, flow in some streams has dropped by more than 50%, input to water supply dams has fallen by around 80%, and the steady decline in groundwater levels has resulted in drying of previously permanent pools and seen some perennial streams become seasonal. Climate predictions show that the threats to wetland ecosystems are rapidly increasing even in the wettest climate scenario.
The presentation will provide a synthesis of the current condition and ecological requirements of river ecosystems of south-west WA, as well as predicted impacts from declining rainfall and rising temperatures. This will include examples of natural resilience and sensitivities of local systems, an examination of some of the science and monitoring programs aimed at understanding and mitigating changes, and showcase new work to characterise, prioritise and enhance ecosystem resilience. The presentation will cover the state government's standard methods for assessing river health — the South West Index of River Condition, the department’s long-term river monitoring program supporting water resource management — the Healthy Rivers program, and introduce a new project to prioritise and evolve our management efforts — Creating Climate Resilient Rivers.
Presentations 1
Wetland Flow Augmentation via Drain Alterations: A Case Study
A wetland’s flow regime is its heartbeat. Flow regime components include inundation depth and duration; the timing of inflows and, of course, the quality of the water itself. In the highly altered landscape of the Swan Coastal Plain thousands of kilometres of drains have been constructed historically and this infrastructure has frequently altered the natural flow regime of wetlands. Acknowledgement of this fact has seen a greater preparedness to “wind the clock back” in recent years and the McLarty / Mealup Lakes System within the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar Site is a good case study. A weir was installed in the Mealup Main Drain in 2012 to divert water to Lake Mealup. In 2024 another structure was installed downstream to improve groundwater conditions around Lower Lake Melaup. During 2024 DBCA have been working with the Friends of Lake McLarty group to investigate options to divert drain water to Lake McLarty with a detailed engineering investigation being undertaken (via a State NRM funded project). This presentation will provide an overview of these various flow regime enhancement activities and apply them to the wider landscape – the Robert Bay wetland complex is found just to the north of the McLarty / Mealup System and there are multiple opportunities to manipulate the drainage system through this system to achieve significant flow improvements at this important wetland complex.
Environmental drivers and who eats who? Investigating biological community and trophic responses to environmental change
PhD student presentation: Wetlands are highly biodiverse ecosystems that rely on hydrological regimes to facilitate important functional processes. Key threats to wetland stability and resilience include changes in temperature and altered hydrology (abiotic and/or anthropogenic), which can negatively impact habitat and food provisioning. In wetlands, surface and ground water hydrology in addition to increased temperature is also strongly associated with other deleterious factors, such as mineral accumulation (e.g. salinity). Hydrological flows, temperature and salinity fluxes may be useful to gauge influence on biological indicators in wetlands, such as fishes and amphibians. A key aspect of this project is to: (i) investigate the intricate connectivity of surface/ground water levels, temperature, and salinities in southern temperate wetlands; (ii) identify fish communities and their trophic ecology response to key environmental changes in wetlands with strong surface-groundwater connectivity and; (iii) identify frog communities, their diet and susceptibility to Chytrid fungus across fluxes of environmental change in surface-groundwater driven wetlands. Under a changing climate, improving our knowledge of environmental conditions such as water levels and flows, temperature and salinity fluxes, and the response of important biological indicator species is key for management of surface and groundwater resources.
This presentation will provide a summary of our multi-year project and show environmental data fluctuations of surface and groundwater in wetlands that will be used to improve our understanding of biological indicator responses to ecosystem change.
Presentations 2
Shared Country: Rivers are an Ageless and Cross-Cultural Meeting Place, and Make Fabulous Project Sites.
In 2020, a River Action Plan was developed for the Hotham and Williams Rivers in the upper catchment of the Peel-Harvey Catchment, in which eight priority sites were chosen and field assessed for current condition and future actions. This then flowed onto site restoration and rehabilitation plans, which focused on specific on-ground recommendations to improve the health and resilience of the river environment. Koompkinning, or Pumphreys Bridge, on the Hotham River near Wandering, is located on an important dreaming track and has been a meeting place for countless generations of the ancient Noongar Wilman people. The Hotham River itself is part of a network of sites in and around Dryandra Woodland, where the Wilman (Dryandra) People Corporation (WDPC) has family cultural connections. PHCC and the Board of the WDPC have established a partnership focused on the implementation of project activities at Pumphreys Bridge, including river restoration and cultural acknowledgement, both of which are intricately linked to the ongoing connection of humans to the river, in a way that nurtures it and gives it resilience for many more generations to come.
Improving Coastal Saltmarsh in the Northern Agricultural Region
The TEC of Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh has been somewhat overlooked in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR; Guilderton to Kalbarri). The Northern Agricultural Catchment Council (NACC NRM) is leading a four-year project to address this knowledge gap. Five sites are currently mapped as TEC, and all of these are relatively small sites totalling 18 hectares. Three substantial saltmarsh systems with clear tidal connection – the Hill, Greenough and Murchison estuary systems – have yet to be mapped as TEC. In addition, other large systems containing TEC-indicative vegetation complexes, such as Hutt Lagoon and Leeman Lakes, require tidal connection confirmation via groundwater surveys prior to TEC listing. Identifying those TEC areas currently unmapped and/or unconfirmed will increase the total area of this TEC in the NAR by a factor of at least 10, possibly higher. In addition to TEC mapping, this project will complete condition and threat assessments for TEC areas and complete priority on-ground protection works. The project team is ensuring a collaborative approach through its strong coastal manager and community partnerships, with emphasis placed on working with Aboriginal Ranger Teams in the region.
Presentations 3
Vegetation response after the exclusion of feral animal grazing in Barmah Forest Ramsar wetlands
The Barmah Forest is a National Park and a Ramsar wetland that historically supported one of the most extensive areas of Moira Grass (Pseudoraphis spinescens) plains in the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia. Moira Grass is a highly palatable native species that provides habitat and food for a range of fauna, and crucial ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling and primary production.
Moira Grass has continued to decline in extent since the Barmah Forest Ramsar Site was designated in 1982 (and, prior to that, since river regulation commenced with construction of the Hume Dam in 1936). This is largely due to grazing by herbivores, particularly cattle and feral horses (and to a lesser extent, pigs and deer), in combination with river regulation. This decline now exceeds the limits of acceptable change for Moira Grass at the site and represents a potential change in the site’s ecological character under the Ramsar Convention.
This study established and monitored paired vegetation quadrats at four wetlands in the Barmah Forest to demonstrate vegetation response when feral animal grazing pressure was controlled over 12 months. Results indicate that Moira Grass cover increased and bare ground decreased in exclosures in the absence of feral animal grazing. Learnings from this project are applicable to many other wetlands impacted by grazing feral animals, particularly large hooved ungulates such as horses, pigs and deer.
Cultural ways of seeing and hearing: Local and Global wetlands; Ramsar & My Country talk
This paper is a Wiradjuri womanish approach to the meaning and character of wetland story. By way of my Indigenous standpoint the presentation seeks an Indigenous "lexicon": holding cultural integrity and Indigenous memory and wisdom. Through reviewing and defining Ramsar literature from over the years, concepts gleaned from Ramsar voices and experts relate strongly to seeking wisdom and envisioning practical success through a universality and commonality of ideas.
The campfire and camping place visualised in Ramsar 1999 is still a motif to focus on for cultural and Indigenous knowledge regarding wetlands. The inclusion of sustainability lessons in the Indigenous story-telling of the camp, for example, informs children of proper behaviour in Country. This includes care of native species, and totems, learnt from Elders and learnt from story/lore, and following lore. This now is purposefully coupled with the concept of “habitus”, perhaps seen these days as passe. But the Traditional campsite becomes more than just a place to dwell. It is the heart of lifestyle, pedagogical learning, envisioning of life-choices and deep sense of understanding of everything around you. The influence of the campsite, the domestication of place to home, hearth and spirit are the ontological presence. Secrets of sustainability are found in this connective, wholistic way of viewing the world: Place is home and kin: precious and sacred. The paper is connected through some artworks created through the journey, weaving a narrative of sociology, Indigenous studies, environmental, and Indigenous storying.
Presentations 4
Mapping wetland vegetation using a bird's eye view
Our project explored the feasibility of using high-resolution multi-spectral aerial imagery and an object-based image analysis approach in GIS to map the vegetation in hundreds of wetlands across the Port Phillip and Western Port region in Melbourne, Victoria. This case study will explore the innovations and lessons learned and the applicability of the analysis approach to other wetland vegetation mapping and monitoring projects.
Lessons in improving urban wetlands
Over the past ten years the City of Melville along with SERCUL and the community have worked together to improve the environmental condition of Booragoon and Blue Gum Lakes. Both lakes are remnant and have been badly affected from the impacts of urbanisation, in particular from land clearing and storm water contributions. Learning lessons along the way, the City, SERCUL and community have revegetated these important wetlands buffers and are starting to see some incredible results of these efforts. We are also looking into new ways to improve our management of these wetlands as the pressures of climate change and Perth city expansion intensifies.
FROM IDEAS TO ACTION SESSION
Day 2 | Afternoon | Friday, 7th February 2025
Along with presentations, this session will include workshops focused on practical tools and innovative strategies. It will underscore the importance of translating ideas into impactful solutions, empowering participants to contribute effectively to wetland sustainability.
Keynote
Plan for our Parks
The "Plan for Our Parks" initiative aims to expand Western Australia's conservation estate by five million hectares, enhancing biodiversity protection and fostering partnerships with Traditional Owners through joint management of these new parks.
Note: Further details about this presentation will be provided soon.
Poster Presentations
Collaboration Sessions
Saving Our South Western Snake-Necked Turtles Workshop: Research and Action
Dive into cutting-edge research and conservation action for the endangered southwestern snake-necked turtle, exploring genetics, habitat restoration, and innovative biologging technologies to safeguard its future.
Silver linings: Conservation genetics using freshwater turtle cadavers from a mass mortality event
Obtaining a source of genetic data is a key constraint in population genomic research. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were generated from southwestern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina oblonga) cadavers, to ascertain the utility of decomposed tissue as a source of genetic data, and then used to investigate genetic variation. Tissue was opportunistically collected from 47 cadavers following a mass mortality event during April 2024 at Bibra Lake, Western Australia. Genotyping was performed using Chelodina DArTseqTM, with a high-density assay at a depth of 2.5 million reads. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were filtered according to callrate and reproducibility (>90%), minor allele frequency (>5%) and polymorphism information content (>10%). Samples scored for less than 20% of SNPs were also removed. Overall, 39 C. oblonga, corresponding with 8053 SNPs, were retained from data filtering. Observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.264) and gene diversity (Hs = 0.318) for C. oblonga were relatively low in comparison to estimates for other freshwater turtle species within Australia. A high inbreeding coefficient (FIS = 0.169) was also detected, suggesting that inbreeding threatens C. oblonga population viability at Bibra Lake. This study highlights the utility of decomposed turtle cadavers as a viable source of DNA and provides important insight into the genetic variability of C. oblonga at Bibra Lake
Long-term habitat degradation affects nest site selection behaviour by a freshwater turtle (Chelodina oblonga)
Freshwater turtles are one of the most endangered vertebrate groups with >60% of species threatened globally. Terrestrial nesting habitat degradation is a major threat to freshwater turtles, but the characteristics of nesting habitat remain poorly understood. This study investigated the nest site selection of the
southwestern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina oblonga) to improve the conservation prospects for this species in an urbanized wetland area. In total, 235 depredated and 86 non-depredated nest sites and 320 non-nest locations were surveyed at Bibra Lake, Western Australia, during the Austral spring–summer, 2018–2023. A suite of environmental variables was measured at nest sites and non-nest locations. Analysis of similarities was used to determine
whether nest sites and non-nest locations differed in their environmental characteristics. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify environmental variables that best explained the nesting preferences. The environmental characteristics of nest sites differed from those of non-nest locations, with turtles nesting mainly in remnant natural habitat with greater canopy cover. Turtles generally avoided nesting in modified environments such as lawns and impervious surfaces. Factors influencing nest site selection are probably associated with the conditions necessary for regulating incubation temperatures and ease of nest excavation. This study suggests that modification of terrestrial vegetation around wetlands is adversely affecting freshwater turtle recruitment by removing or altering preferred nesting habitat. Protection and restoration of natural habitats fringing urban wetlands is important for the conservation of remnant freshwater turtle populations, and local partnership projects can help to achieve this.
Reading between the lines - Using biologgers to study behaviour and activity in freshwater turtles
Biologgers or animal-borne data tags are a modern data collection method used widely in marine and terrestrial vertebrate research, however have rarely been used on freshwater species. These kinds of tags can collect highly detailed information on animal activity patterns and behaviour, and is particularly useful in studying species that are cryptic or exhibit behaviours that are hard to observe with the naked eye. Chelodina oblonga, known as the Booyi or southwestern snake-necked turtle, is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. This species is cryptic and is rarely seen outside of the breeding season when females come onto land to nest. As such, it is hard to accurately describe what kind of behaviours they exhibit, and how these behaviours may shift with season or between sexes. Furthermore, as this species is relatively understudied, their daily and seasonal activity patterns are currently unknown. In this study, acceleration biologgers were attached to southwestern snake-necked turtles throughout multiple seasons to collect activity and environmental data that were then analysed to extract discrete behaviours such as nesting, basking and diving. In addition to this, the activity data was used to model daily and seasonal activity patterns for the species for the first time, shedding light on how turtle's activity patterns are highly influenced by not just season, but also biological factors.
Walking Together for Wetlands Workshop: Collaborative Restoration and Community Conservation
Discover collaborative approaches to wetland restoration, combining cultural heritage, eco-restoration, and community-led conservation efforts at Tootanellup and Eungedup, two inspiring case studies of resilience and partnership.
Tootanellup Walking Together with Zamia Eco-restoration & Cultural Connections Project
Green Skills acquired Tootanellup, a 50 ha propety north west of Mt Barker, in October 2020 as a strategic part of Gondwana Link. Since then it has partnered to run an Eco-restoration and Cultural Connections program. This has included working with UWA Albany as part of Walking Together to have Lynnette Knapp, Steve Hopper and Alison Lullfitz visit Tootanellup, with its adjoining fresh water swamps. Green Skills has partnered with Dr Geoff Woodall, Carbon Positive Australia, Greening Australia, the Ngowanjerind, Mt Barker and Nowanup Noongar ranger teams to carry out such activities as local seed collecting, marsupial box installation and tree planting on the property. Green Skills has worked with several elders and the Ngowanjerind Rangers in conducting a cultural heritage survey of the area. During NAIDOC Week in July 2023, Green Skills organised with Elders Aunty Carol Pettersen, Caroline Narkle and Uncle Frank Krakouer a planting of Zamia cycads (Macrozamia riedlei) or djiriji (Noongar) at the Green Skills Tootanellup visitor centre. This year, in 2024, Green Skills is assisting Lyndon Kidman undertake an Honours thesis in 2024 at UWA supervised by Dr Alison Lullfitz focussing on this culturally significant species across sites in the upper Kent catchment. A key Walking Together project is now underway at the property an adjoining at Boggy Lake/Tootanellup Lagoon wetland reserve focussing on buiilding our understanding of Zamia as a key cultural species in this landscape
A vital part of the program is the production of YouTube short films, produced with Denmark film maker, Mike Hemmings, including aerial drone footage. These include:
• Tootanellup Eco-Restoration One Year On 2021
• On Country with Lynette Knapp
• Tootanellup Cultural Heritage Survey
Eungedup Wetlands: Creating a safe haven for wildlife
Eungedup Wetlands is a large freshwater wetland system (approx. 100ha) located on the south coast of Western Australia, close to the south-eastern edge of Wilson Inlet. Many of the wetlands in this area were cleared for agriculture last century and used for potato growing. This land use ended in Eungedup in 2015 and as the wetlands lay fallow, they have naturally evolved into a mixture of habitats including permanent water and areas of exposed mud and grasslands that flood annually. The wetlands are surrounded by fringing paperbarks and peppermint woodlands. This combination of wetlands and woodlands provides a rare and viable habitat for many species of birds, mammals, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, including several priority and endangered species, with the most noteworthy being the Australasian Bittern and the Western Ringtail Possum. In 2023, Eungedup was purchased by the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Inc (WICC) with the stated aim of conserving the wetlands for future generations. Following purchase of the property, WICC instituted a series of community workshops to develop a strategy and plan for optimal management of Eungedup. These workshops highlighted the need to work cooperatively with the community, traditional custodians, local and state government and neighbouring landholders in order to maximise common interests. Over the past year, the Eungedup Management Group has continued to engage with the local community, stakeholder groups, planners and architects to develop an overall masterplan and a five-year management plan. This presentation will tell the story of Eungedup, and outline the actions undertaken to raise the funds required to purchase the wetland, and the ongoing process of community engagement that will guide future management of Eungedup as a safe haven for wildlife.
Collaboration Sessions
Innovative Waters Workshop: Technology and Conservation For Aquatic Systems
Explore cutting-edge innovations addressing aquatic system challenges, from cyborg mussels revolutionising water quality monitoring to conservation strategies mitigating dolphin entanglement in urban estuaries.
Rise of the machines. Are cyborg mussels the future of water quality monitoring?
Bivalves, such as mussels, scallops and oysters, are highly susceptible to water toxins. Bivalves comprise two shells attached by a hinge. Across the hinge is a ligament that acts like an elastic band holding their shell in the open position by default. This facilitates normal physiological processes, such as feeding, breathing and excreting and because they continuously taste the water for food, if they taste something they don't like, they close their shell by contracting their adductor muscle. By attaching sensors to the mussel's outer shell and using new sensor technology, IoT and cellular networks we have been monitoring this behavior in real time at six stations in south-western Australia. These data can be used as an early warning system for environmental perturbations, such as those that lead to fish kills.
Addressing Fishing Gear Entanglement in the Swan Canning Estuary: A Case Study Presentation on Dolphin Conservation
Fishing gear entanglement poses a significant threat to marine mammals, particularly in urbanized wetland areas like the Swan Canning Estuary in Perth, Western Australia. This small, vulnerable population of ~25 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) is significantly impacted by entanglements, despite mitigation efforts. This case study examines the ongoing challenges and strategies for addressing entanglements within the estuarine environment. Data collected from 2011 to 2024 through boat-based surveys, post-mortem examinations, and reports from the public—including Dolphin Watch volunteers—reveals that entanglements occur nearly every year, predominantly affecting calves. Fishing lines, crab pot ropes, and monofilament lines are commonly involved. Despite the 'Reel it in' program launched in 2013, entanglement rates have not declined, indicating the need for more effective intervention strategies. This case study highlights the complexities of managing wetland ecosystems in urban areas with high recreational fishing and public engagement. Collaboration between researchers, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA), and Dolphin Watch volunteers has been essential for monitoring and responding to entanglements. The presentation will discuss ongoing mitigation efforts, the challenges encountered, and the critical role of community engagement in conservation.
Native Plant Propagation Masterclass
Join The Wetlands Centre's Conservation Nursery expert to uncover the art of propagating native species. Led by a passionate team of conservation horticulturalists, botanists, and volunteers, the nursery is a space for biodiversity, annually cultivating thousands of plants for gardens, revegetation, and wetlands. In this session, you will discover some secrets of propagating and nurturing native Western Australian plants using locally sourced materials, as well as the methods of propagation of our local plant families.