Floodplain wetlands (e.g. billabongs) in urban environments have high ecological and cultural value yet are some of the most degraded ecosystems globally. We suggest both ecological and Indigenous people’s knowledge are important for informing urban billabong restoration. Our project aimed to i) assess the response of billabong vegetation to natural or managed flooding and ii) increase the role of local Traditional Owners in billabong management.
Over three years, a team of wetland ecologists and local Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Narrap (‘Country’) Rangers surveyed understorey vegetation composition and the condition and reproductive output of remnant River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in response to flooding across seven degraded billabongs adjacent to the Yarra (Birrarung) in Melbourne, Australia. Knowledge sharing during ‘On Country’ days aimed to help guide management direction and restoration targets.
Our results indicate that regular (at least 2 in 3 years) and longer duration flooding (up to 8 months) promotes native wetland plants, supresses weeds, and improves the condition and reproductive output of River Red Gums. Monitoring by Indigenous Rangers and knowledge sharing during On Country days helped facilitate the cultural practice of caring for Country.
Our study illustrates how regular flooding and Traditional Owner involvement in wetland management promotes billabong health. Collaborative research and knowledge sharing with Traditional Owners can advance wetland restoration practice and improve care of Country.