Wetlands are low-lying areas inundated with water on a temporary or permanent basis. Most cotton farms support a range of natural and artificial wetlands including billabongs, floodplain swamps and forests, lagoons and water storages.

These landscape features perform many important ecological functions. T hey provide a service similar to riparian buffer zones as highlighted in the ‘Riparian management’ section; capturing sediments and nutrients from water before it drains into the main waterway. Nutrients are transformed into beneficial components and, along with carbon, are released into rivers and creeks, replenishing them with the basics for aquatic food webs.

Wetlands also provide essential breeding and nursery habitats for many native fish species and migratory birds.

Most wetlands in NSW have been modified to some degree, with over half have them being significantly altered. Wetland modification includes clearing of vegetation, draining them of water, reduction of flows or continual saturation, all of which disrupts natural wetting and drying regimes.

Loss of wetlands in the landscape has severe implications for native fish, amphibians, reptiles and terrestrial animals including migratory birds.

Landholders can improve the aquatic habitat of artificial wetlands and on-farm storages to support aquatic and terrestrial life. Incorporating different habitat aspects in storages, such as islands, shallow areas, deep water and vegetated sections, can improve these systems. Artificial water storages can also provide natural filter system for sediments and nutrients, improving water use efficiency and water quality on properties. For more information please see the Cotton CRC factsheet,  Design principles for healthy waterways on cotton farms.

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

• Maintain and improve existing wetlands and billabongs
• R estore former wetlands and billabongs
• Enhance habitat in artificial wetlands

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

• Ensure flow into natural wetlands is sufficient to maintain natural regimes and water tolerant vegetation
• Manage stock access carefully, particularly during critical periods of inundation and when seeds are setting
• Plant and encourage riparian and aquatic vegetation
• Retain snags in natural wetlands and establish woody habitat in artificial wetlands
• Incorporate different habitat aspects into artificial wetlands, such as islands, shallow areas, deep waters and vegetated margins
• Use on-farm storages and distribution systems as natural filters to remove sediments, nutrients and pesticides from water on-farm