Ecological Development in the Milperra Riverland Wetland Reserve - Case Study Example

Report on Ecological Development in the Milperra Riverland Wetland Reserve. Name Institution Abstract This report focuses on the impact of ecological sustainable development in the Milperra Bushland along the Henry Lawson drive and Milperra. The report will analyze the factors leading to the deterioration of the bushland and provide some ecological sustainable development principles that if considered can see a reverse in the current state of the wetland reserve. Table of Contents RUNNING HEAD: RЕРОRT АBОUT ЕСОLОGIСАL SUSTАINАBLЕ DЕVЕLОРMЕNT 0 Abstract 1 Introduction 3 Description of the site 3 Ecological Features of the site 4 a)Habitat 4 b)Vegetation and Biodiversity 4 c)Fauna and native Animals 5 d)Soil Quality 6 e)Water Quality 7 Impact on the wetland 8 Conclusion 9 References 10 Introduction Ecological and Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present way of life while at the same time looking at the things and factors that will help build the future of the nation in order for the future generation to also meet its needs. Usually when one talk about sustainable development, a lot of things are considered and put in mind, some of these things include the social and economic impact of ecological development (Graham December 13, 2002). There is often one particular need that drives any sort of ecological development, and this is the changes in the global climate resulting from our activities in the soil and other ecological features. This report focuses on the impact of ecological development of the wetland in the Milperra riverland reserve in Australia. The wetland which has been a major tourist attraction for the residents and foreigners visiting the country has become of age and most of the areas especially the water that boasted for a long time as being fresh, has been highly polluted by the residents. Most of the areas that were once wetland are no longer so. (Cavanagh November 1, 2000) Description of the site The Milperra wetland reserve remains one of the few remaining wetlands in the Bankstown area in Australia. One of the major features of the wetland is the Bushland along the Henry Lawson drive and Milperra road of which it can be said to constitute different conditions fair, poor and very poor (Council 2004). As at the moment the bush land contains some areas which are well kept through the area has experienced huge amounts of weed invasion near the drainage line and the perimeter of the reserve alongside Milperra Road. The other thing that is affecting the reserve is the vegetation which is adjacent to the watercourse and Milperra Road is in poor to very poor condition. Ecological Features of the site a) Habitat Major habitat types present in Milperra wetland Brackish water habitat( estuarine) Mangrove Salt marsh Woodland Forest habitat b) Vegetation and Biodiversity The natural areas within the reserve and around the bushland that is full of different types of vegetation and plant species of high conservation significance. A total of 27 indigenous species were found during a survey was done by Gibson C. and Miller R. (1988 and 1996) and Bankstown City Council (December 1993, January 1994, October 1994 and December 1995). (Council 2004)Here is given some of the species. Eucalyptus amplifolia (Cabbage Gum) Casuarina glauca (Swamp Oak) Eucalyptus saligna x botryoides Eucalyptus fibrosa (Broad-leaved Ironbark) Eucalyptuslongifolia (Woollybutt) c) Fauna and native Animals The diversity of species within the reserve is decreasing with time due to the poor conditions of the bushland. A total of 68 species were found during a survey done Nordstrom and Mckay (1997). Here are some of the aquatic species (Council 2004). Carex appressa (Tussock Sedge) Ranunculus inundatus (River Buttercup) Triglochin procerum (Water Ribbons). The native animals in the bushland area can still be seen but in scarcity. The most popular animals that can be recognized easily in the bushland are the various ranges of aquatic birds. Most of these animals have difficulties swimming around due to the polluted water (figure 3) and broken branches and weed (figure 4) limiting movement in the wetlands. Native animals present: Small mammals such as rodent, dasyurids Ground-nesting birds Golden Bell Frog There are introduced dogs, cats, foxes and vermin d) Soil Quality The status of the soil in the in the bushland and along the henry Lawson drive has also been drastically destroyed Most of the major cause for the disruption of the soil is due to the human activity that has been popular in order to pave way for the human development. As can be observed in figures above, construction of houses and other recreational activities do affect the drainage and other geographical map of the wetlands reserve. e) Water Quality Due to high human activity of cutting down trees and dumpling of waste the water quality of the wetland reserve has highly gone down. Previously the water quality was clean and healthy enough for practicing fish farming and nurturing of the golden bell frog but with the highly urbanized nature of the wetland has resulted into the heavy pressure on the waterways (Council 2004). Impact on the wetland Looking at the state at which the ecosystem of the bush land at the corner of Henry Lawson Drive and Milperra road has evolved, from good to worse, there is need for the government of Australia to revisit the sustainable development principles in order to save the ecosystem. Most of the areas that have been affected by the human activities and changing weather patterns including the reduction of the Acacia pubescens through continual loss of populations and through implementation of a Management regime aimed at maintaining representative populations across the species’ range (Council 2004). Recommendations that would lead more sustainable Some of the recommendation that can be implemented in order to save the bushland from more destruction would be to implement change according to the impact in deferent areas, for example along the Henry Lawson drive, there should be reduction of land use from developers and domestic tourists, along the drive, there should be a proper management of the use of land and cutting down of bushes in order to accommodate human structures which has been impacting on the quality of the environment. Conclusion This wetland is under pressure because of the growing human activities around it. In addition the wetland reserves have also been affected by the changing weather patterns according to the principle of Ecological and sustainable development. In addition wetland areas should be used in a manner that is beneficial to the community and that it is sustainable. According to the Australian Ecological Sustainable development national strategy, it should improve the quality of life, now and the future and in a way that maintains the ecological process of which both human and animal life is dependent (Flanery October 1995). References Cavanagh, J November 1, 2000, Australian Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (International Nature Guides), 1st edn, Waterford Press. Council, BC 2004, www.online.bankstown.nsw.gov.au, viewed 19 September 2013, < HYPERLINK "http://online.bankstown.nsw.gov.au/Docs/Temp/058_00461DF4.001.pdf" http://online.bankstown.nsw.gov.au/Docs/Temp/058_00461DF4.001.pdf >. Flanery, TF October 1995, The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People, George Braziller. Graham, P December 13, 2002, Building Ecology: First Principles For A Sustainable Built Environment, 1st edn, Wiley-Blackwell. Read More