At Kooragang Wetlands pests include:
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| Juncus acutus grows on the edges of
estuarine (brackish) wetlands. |
Juncus acutus has a large amount of seed. |
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exotic weeds
There are around 60 species of introduced plants at Kooragang
Wetlands, some have more devastating effects on native vegetation
than others. Some like Kikuyu were deliberately brought in as
pasture grass and now inhibit native seedlings from growing; some
like Lantana was either dumped on site or brought in as seed by
birds and makes the soil unsuitable for many native plants.
The main introduced plants we target at Kooragang Wetlands are:
- Juncus acutus
- Lantana
- Alligator Weed
- Blackberry
- Morning Glory
- Kikuyu
feral animal management
There are a number of introduced animals at Kooragang Wetlands.
Some have a greater effect than others. Some like foxes eats eggs,
small animals and birds; other like rabbits and hares eat young
seedlings.
The main introduced animals we manage are:
mosquito management
Despite mosquitoes being a natural part of the environment with
23 species being
native to the lower Hunter River estuary, there are two broad problems
with local mosquitoes: their nuisance value and their potential
to carry viral diseases such as Ross River Fever.
At Kooragang we are managing this problem by educating people
to wear protective clothing, repellent and avoid visiting during
peak mosquito infestations. We are also working to flush tidal areas
adequately; minimize isolated (unconnected) low areas that receive
only occasional flushing; and maximize habitat for mosquito
predators such as fish and insectivorous
bats. For more information about mosquitoes and how to avoid
contact with them visit Hunter
New England Health.
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