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Warriewood Wetlands Project

 Warriewood Wetlands
Significance

The wetland has a number of important attributes which contribute to its significance, including:

• Warriewood Wetland contributes to the "green space" in surburban Sydney. Together with other areas of open space, the wetland contributes to the biodiversity of the region (Adam, 1995a);

• The diversity of communities found at Warriewood Wetland is unusual in metropolitan Sydney at any one site. Different surveys conducted in the Wetland have recorded approxinately 80 native vascular plants, four native frogs, five native reptiles, 100 birds and over five native mammal species in the Wetland(Adam, 1995a; Laxton and Laxton,1997; Winning, 1989, 1995);

• The wetland supports a stand of Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta ) which forms a part of the last sizeable stand of this vegetation type in Sydney region ( Adam, 1995a; Benson and Howell , 1990; Roberts, 1995; Winning, 1995);

• Warriewood Wetlands supports one of the most extensive stands of Heath-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia ) in the northern beaches area (Winning 1995);

• The Ingelside escarpment, Irrawong Reserve and Warriewood Wetland comprise a wildlife corridor in the catchment. In the context of Sydney urban Bushland, Warriewood Wetland is particularly important as a coastal wetland habitat for resident and migratory birds (Adam, 1995a );

• The vunerable Black Bittern (Dupetor flavicollis ) has been recorded in Warriewood Wetland. This species is considered to be of State conservation significance. The swamp forests and lagoons in the vicinity of Warriewood Wetland represent valuable habitat for the Black Bittern in northern Sydney (Adam, 1995a, ; Winning, 1989 );

• Migratory bird species, such as Latham's Snipe, have been observed in the wetland which are listed under international agreements. These are CAMBA (China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement) and JAMBA (Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement);

• Warriewood Wetland exhibits functions typical of wetlands ecosystems, such as it's role in sediment and nutrient filtering and flood mitigation (Laxton and Laxton, 1977; Winning 1989 );

• Warriewood Wetland is of cultural value, providing some indication of pre-settlement landscapes ( Adam, 1995a ).

• The wetland also has potential as an education and research site. The wetland has important enviromental values and issues which can be used by the local community, local groups and education and research institutions.

Bibliography :

Warriewood Wetland Draft Plan of Management
Pittwater Council 1997

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This page was last modified on 8th November, 1998