Flora
The Tootgarook Swamp is home to at least eleven endangered plant communities and has a very high groundwater dependent ecosystem value. The site represents the largest remnant natural freshwater marsh in Melbourne Water's region [1], though it's description matches that of a fen in the international term. It is recognised by the Victorian Department of Sustainability as a Biosite of state significance for its biodiversity and natural values. The swamp's largely private ownership has resulted in relatively few surveys of vegetation being undertaken in the past, with most occurring for development purposes of smaller parcels. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the wider community and one private landholder, this has started to change and large scale surveys have started recently on one large privately owned section with more to come as the local government, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, move forward towards the swamp's protection.
From these compiled surveys over 248 indigenous plant species have so far been recorded at the Tootgarook Swamp and its adjacent buffer zone with a number of these having conservation significance at a national, state and regional level (e.g. endangered, vulnerable, and rare). The list is still growing and increasing and we can be grateful a private land holder has protected it in perpetuity with a trust for nature covenant. Covenanting a large portion of their land, restoration work is now under way, with woody weed removal and mapping occurring, all of which is yielding currently unrecorded indigenous flora species that have been patiently awaiting rediscovery.
The flora and hydrology of any landscape is closely linked with the plants of an endemic community that are reliant upon the correct hydrological function of that landscape. With the Tootgarook Swamp it is the groundwater rather than the surface water that provides this link, essentially it is a surface expression of this ground water.
From these compiled surveys over 248 indigenous plant species have so far been recorded at the Tootgarook Swamp and its adjacent buffer zone with a number of these having conservation significance at a national, state and regional level (e.g. endangered, vulnerable, and rare). The list is still growing and increasing and we can be grateful a private land holder has protected it in perpetuity with a trust for nature covenant. Covenanting a large portion of their land, restoration work is now under way, with woody weed removal and mapping occurring, all of which is yielding currently unrecorded indigenous flora species that have been patiently awaiting rediscovery.
The flora and hydrology of any landscape is closely linked with the plants of an endemic community that are reliant upon the correct hydrological function of that landscape. With the Tootgarook Swamp it is the groundwater rather than the surface water that provides this link, essentially it is a surface expression of this ground water.
The Tootgarook Swamp is a peat regenerating wetland, the most threatened form of wetland type internationally, as a peat regenerating wetland it is a major carbon storehouse, exceeding that of forests.
Peatlands are not a very typical habitat in the Southern Hemisphere, but small areas are found in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and even Antarctica. The peatlands of the southern region may appear trivial on a global scale but are important because they differ from the vast peatlands of the northern hemisphere temperate zones in terms of vegetation and animal communities.[2]
The Tootgarook Swamp could be one of the last strongholds for some of these rare plants and animals.
Below is a categories list of indigenous flora that can be found in the Tootgarook Swamp and its adjacent buffer zone, in each category is you can find information on each plant pus a selection of photos, we will be adding much of this information interactively through the year.
[1] Melbourne Water.
[2] Department of Environment Northern Ireland – www.doeni.gov.uk/wonderfulni/biodiversity/habitats2/peatlands/about_peatlands/global_peatland.htm
Peatlands are not a very typical habitat in the Southern Hemisphere, but small areas are found in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and even Antarctica. The peatlands of the southern region may appear trivial on a global scale but are important because they differ from the vast peatlands of the northern hemisphere temperate zones in terms of vegetation and animal communities.[2]
The Tootgarook Swamp could be one of the last strongholds for some of these rare plants and animals.
Below is a categories list of indigenous flora that can be found in the Tootgarook Swamp and its adjacent buffer zone, in each category is you can find information on each plant pus a selection of photos, we will be adding much of this information interactively through the year.
[1] Melbourne Water.
[2] Department of Environment Northern Ireland – www.doeni.gov.uk/wonderfulni/biodiversity/habitats2/peatlands/about_peatlands/global_peatland.htm
