Cell Descriptions - South East Natural Resources Management Board

SE10 – Little Dip CP
(Criterion 1). Several of these wetlands are also considered important as habitat for animal taxa at
a vulnerable stage in their life cycles, or provide refuge when adverse conditions such as drought
prevail (Criterion 3). As a wetland complex, these wetlands are a particularly unique geological
and ecological feature of the South Australian coastline. Very few coastal dune wetlands (i.e.
those occurring in dune swales of the coastal fringe) occur outside of the stretch of coast
between Beachport and Robe. Within their own group, many of these wetlands have unique
properties with respect to water quality (e.g. salinity), hydrologic al regime and vegetation type,
providing a broad diversity of habitats for wetland dependent fauna (Billows 2009).
Several of these wetlands have been assessed as Pristine or Intact from LSEWI field surveys and/
or rated highly for Biological Condition Value and/ or Ecological Significance (see Appendix 3
of Billows 2009). Many are well buffered from adjacent land use by coastal dune scrub and
protected from livestock damage via fencing. Others are situated within the Little Dip
Conservation Park. Biological records are poor for many of these wetlands due to a distinct lack
of survey effort in this area, particularly on privately owned land. However, observations indicate
that these wetlands are important habitat for a broad range of flora and fauna, including local and
migratory waterbirds and waders (Billows 2009).
Conservation Analysis (GIS)
The total of conservation means is 123.02, average for the region. The detailed summary
conservation layer shows an extremely complex pattern, although the highest values are found in
well established dune vegetation and in narrow lake edge swamps. The intricate pattern of values
also reflects the pattern of vegetation loss, through clearance and through dune blowout
development.
All areas outside the urban land and the de-vegetated dunes show high values for vegetation
associations and threatened plant and animal species. The lakes show moderate to high values,
especially in the lakeside vegetation, for all birds and threatened bird species; lake edges for
reptiles and threatened mammals. Butterfly habitat is widespread through the dunes and lake
edges. Focal species show varied habitat through the cell: Orange bellied Parrot in the dunes;
Fairy Tern and Southern Bell Frog in the lakes; Swamp Skink in the lake edges; and Yellow Sedge
Skipper in the Gahnia sedge of the lakes edges. [Wetland assessment gives top rating to Lake
Robe and a high rating to Lake Eliza].
Threat Analysis (GIS)
The total of threat summary means is an average one, 58.69.
The highest contributors to the means total are visual amenity, mining activities (tenements cover
the entire cell), vegetation block degradation and distribution of significant weeds, dune
instability and rabbit numbers. Valuable lakeside habitats are also threatened by land use and
ownership. Existing development contributes to threat totals on the fringes of Robe and Nora
Creina.
Adaptation to Climate Change: Threats for Cell SE10
(see also discussion of scenario in Section 4.11
NOTE: the advice below is indicative of likely change and the direction of change, with
implications for ecosystems. Dates, amounts and probabilities cannot be accurately calculated at
this time. Thus advice on flood levels, for example, should not be used in engineering or
development planning.
Limestone Coast and Coorong Coastal Action Plan 372