Site 33 Woolshed Swamp

Description
Located south of Boort, this swamp consists of Redgum Woodland with Black Box occurring on the higher ground. It is a fairly shallow swamp, with a thick ring of Redgum regeneration occurring around it. The swamp has not received much floodwater for some time as water has been diverted away. The land uses adjacent to the reserve include grazing and cropping.

Vegetation Description and Composition
This site is Woodland dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Red Gum). On the higher areas, the site is dominated by Eucalyptus largiflorens (Black Box). A high proportion of introduced species are present in the herbaceous layer (remaining greater than 60% of species present), including pasture weeds and four salt indicator species. Tree health is in decline, and the general appearance of the trees is one of being under severe stress, with approximately 30% of the saplings dead in Quadrat A - a 50% increase in mortality from 1998. There has been some change in vegetation survey results when compared with previous survey data. The number of species present has been reduced by 50%, due to the continued dry seasonal conditions. In Quadrat B extensive digging has been undertaken, most likely for fishing bait, and this disturbance is likely to result in changes in plant species present in future surveys.

Woolshed Swamp

Groundwater and Salinity
The watertable is about 1.5 metres below the swamp bed surface and has an average salinity of about 30 000 EC

Threats to the site continue to be:

weed invasion - in particular Tamarix ramosissima (Athel Pine) and Phalaris spp.
possible grazing.
salinity increase.
reduced flooding regime due to water being diverted away from the swamp.

Monitoring Survey Dates
December 1997, November 1998, December 1999, February 2001, January 2002, December 2002.

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