Aldinga Washpool Lagoon

Fleurieu Wetlands - SA Government Report 2005

The Fleurieu Peninsula wetland inventory builds upon wetland inventory projects of varying scales already completed within South Australia and provides updated methods, survey protocols and a specifically designed database for guiding future wetland inventories in a whole-of-State approach. This inventory provides detailed information on the location, condition, threats and conservation value of wetlands throughout the Fleurieu Peninsula. Detailed mapping of wetlands was completed for the entire study region, and data collected was analysed to identify wetlands of high ecological significance across the Fleurieu Peninsula. Analysis of inventory data and mapping revealed an estimated 42% loss of wetland area on the Fleurieu Peninsula since European settlement. The loss of wetland habitat can be attributed primarily to the development of the region for agricultural purposes, where swamp habitat was cleared, burnt, and drained on a large scale.