information plants animals stuff.

Animals, Plants and Algae in Wetlands

The Blacktown Council State of the Environment Report for 2002-2003 has recorded the numbers of vulnerable and endangered animal and plant species found in the Blacktown area.

Animals

Birds

There are many birds that visit or live around the wetlands and waterways in the Blacktown area. They include:

• Eastern Swamp Hen
• Herons
• Plovers
• Cormorants
• Australian White Ibises
• Dotterels
• Latham's Snipe
• Dusky Moorhens
• Darters
• Egrets
• Coots
• Yellow-billed Spoonbills
• Geese (introduced)
• Swans
• Native Ducks (eg Wood Duck)
• Grebes
• Introduced Duck (eg Mallard)

Yellow Billed Spoonbill Duck (native)	Feral Ducks	Plover (native)	Australian White Ibis (native)

Frogs

Some frog species that live in and around Blacktown wetlands and waterways include:

• Brown Striped Marsh Frog
• Brown Tree Frog
• Dwarf Green Tree Frog
• Large Green Tree Frog (more common in the past)
• Rocket Frog
• Whirling Tree Frog
• Green and Golden Bell Frog (endangered)
• Cane Toad
• Whistling Tree Frog

Reptiles

Some reptiles that live in and around Blacktown wetlands and waterways include:

• Diamond Python
• Swamp Snake
• Red-bellied Black Snake
• Eastern Brown Snake
• Eastern Long-Necked Turtle
• Water Skink
• Water Dragon
• Tiger Snake

Mammals

Some mammals that live around Blacktown wetlands and waterways include:

• Water Rat
• Platypus (confirmed sighting at South Creek)

Water Bugs

There are many water bugs that live in the wetlands and waterways of the Blacktown area. Some include:

• Insects (Beetles, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Mayflies)
• Water Snails
• Water Striders
• Freshwater Mussels
• Water Spiders
• Water Treaders
• Bloodworms
• Freshwater Prawns
• Midges
• Diving Beetles
• Water Mites
• Mosquito Larvae
• Water Scorpions

Plants

There are four main groups of water plants that live in the wetlands and waterways in the Blacktown LGA including:

Submerged water plants (plants that grow underwater)

The most common native submerged water plants in Australia is Ribbonweed. It is probably the most common submerged water plant in Blacktown's wetlands and waterways. It grows mainly in summer and can also survive in salty water. It is a native species and helps provide a food source for native animals, habitat for water bugs and remove pollutants from the waterway, however it can also restrict the natural flow of water through a wetland or in waterway and sometimes has to be removed.

Floating water plants

The most common native floating waterplant is Duckweed. It is a small plant that can cover a large area of the water surface and is often confused for algae. It has small roots and is found in slow moving water with high nutrient levels. It is an important food source for birds.

Emergent water plants (plants where the roots are underwater but the plant grows partially out of the water)

Emergent water plants are important as they help soak up excess nutrients in a wetland or waterway, and reduces the growth of harmful algae. Common Rush is a common native emergent water plan found in Blacktown's wetlands and waterways. It can grow up to 1 metre high and flowers in spring and summer. It likes wet feet and therefore grows in damp or waterlogged soil or in shallow water. It can also out compete non native species in a wetland or waterway.

Surrounding trees and shrubs

In many wetlands trees and shrubs surround the waterbody on the banks. A common tree found in a around wetlands in the Paperbarks which likes growing in still or slow flowing water in swamps, creeks, drains and channels. Paperbarks are also effective at providing windbreaks and help control erosion. It also provides habitat for native animals. If too many trees are present however, Paperbarks can block waterways and choke wetlands.

1. Submerged Water Plants	2. Floating Water Plants	3. Emergent Water Plants	4. Surrounding trees and shrubs

Algae

Algae are simple water plants that can vary in size, colour and shape. Algae occur naturally in habitats such as creeks, rivers, lakes and damp soil and provide a food source for animals, fish and water bugs. Algae outbreaks can occur in waterways which have higher nutrient levels such as phosphorous and algae which can be caused by fertilisers, dog droppings and detergents. Algae outbreaks can choke a waterway. There are three main groups of algae:
Plankton algae which are microscopic, free-floating algae that make the water look green or brown. This algae is so tiny that on average, if fifty of these microscopic algae were lined up end-to-end, it would only measure one millimetre! The plankton algae are at the start of the food chain and are therefore an important food source for all other organisms.
Filamentous algae which are long strands of algae cells that form floating mats.
Chara and Nitella algae which are upright algae that look like a submerged plant with roots.
You might ask what about Blue Green Algae? Well although it looks like algae, it isn't, it is more like a bacteria and is scientifically known as Cyanobacteria. Bllue-Green Algae can be toxic to animals and humans

more plants found in wetlands

Horsetails, Western Coneflower ,

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis),

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.), Mangroves, Peat Moss (Sphagnum ,

Pine (Pinus ), Salt cedar (Tamarix,

Brook Cress (Cardamine cordifolia),

Arrowheads (Sagittaria ), Spike Rushes (Eleocharis ),

Water Willow (Justicia americana),

Pink Smartweed (Polygonum bicorne Raf.),

Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) ,

Bulrushes (Scirpus ),

Cattails (Typha ) , Duckweeds (family Lemnaceae,

Pondweeds (Potamogeton ),

Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), Watercress (Rorippa Nasturium-aquaticum), ,

http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/wetland/wet_veg/veg_index.htm

wetland plants

carnivorous plants are some of the plants found in wetlands

wetlands around the world

five islands, austrailia. everglades, north america. pantanal, south america. vembanad koi, asia.