Coast & Estuaries
Page 219
Wetlands of Significance
The Barker inlet wetlands are listed as a
Wetland of National Significance
(DEH, 2003). This is the level below Ramsar listing, which designates wetlands
of international significance. The national listing means that the Barker Inlet
wetlands and related coastal areas must be managed appropriately to protect
their natural resource, cultural, and economic benefits into the future.
A wetland may be considered nationally important if its meets at least one of the
following criteria:
Criterion 1:
It is a good example of a wetland type occurring within a
biogeographic region in Australia.
Criterion 2:
It is a wetland that plays an important ecological or hydrological
role in the natural functioning of a major wetland system/complex.
Criterion 3:
It is a wetland that is important as the habitat for animal taxa
3
at a
vulnerable stage within the life cycle, or provides a refuge when
adverse conditions such as drought prevail.
Criterion 4:
The wetland supports 1% or more of the national populations of
any native plant or animal taxa.
Criterion 5:
The wetland supports native plant or animal taxa or communities
which are considered endangered or vulnerable at the national
level.
Criterion 6:
The wetland is of outstanding historical or cultural significance.
(Source: Wetland Strategy for South Australia 2003)
.
Council has prepared management plans for the day to day operational aspects
of the constructed areas of the Barker Inlet tidal wetlands, as part of its
stormwater management role, but a Management Plan for the whole of the area
as mapped (refer to figure 54) would be valuable.
The Barker Inlet Wetland Management Plan is becoming increasingly important
as new major transport infrastructure and significant further coastal
development in the area, including Torrens Island, is being proposed. Research
undertaken for the State Government's Gillman Master Plan and related
exercises can be used to support the preparation of a Management Plan for the
whole wetlands area.
3
"Taxa" definition: a taxonomic category, as a species or
genus.
