Biodiversity of the

Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region

May 2008
LC0436
ISSN 1329-833X

Stacey Warmuth, Kerang

The Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region
(LCIR) supports rich and abundant
populations of native plant and
animal species across a broad
range of habitats. However, the
environment is under serious threat, with approximately
only 12% of native vegetation remaining and one in five
native plant and animal species listed as being under
threat of extinction.
0

10

20

30

40

Swan Hill

50 Kilometers

N
W

Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region

E
S

Wetlands
Major Waterways
Existing Native Vegetation

Pyramid Hill
#

Echuca

Plants and Animals

Total Plants and Animals: 1830 (Native: 1367)

Plant Species: 1416
Native Plants: 978
Threatened Plants: 149 (15% of native plants)
Introduced Plants/Weeds: 438 (31% of plants)
Animal Species: 414
Native Animals: 389
Threatened Animals: 98 (25% of native animals)
Introduced Animals/Pests: 25 (6% of animals)

Waterways and Wetlands

Kerang

Boort

Gunbower Island, are very important for maintaining

native plant and animal populations.

Serpentine

The LCIR is internationally recognised for its wetlands,

supporting a large number and diversity of valuable
wetlands in a very small geographic area. The extensive
waterways of the LCIR provide important linkages for
plants and animals living in a very fragmented landscape.
As well as supporting significant plants and animals,
wetlands and waterways transport and filter water and
cycle nutrients, thus underpinning the functioning of all
natural ecosystems in the region.

Vegetation
Figure 1: Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region Native
Vegetation, Waterways and Wetlands

Land Management
88% of the region is privately owned land used
predominantly for agriculture. Management of private
land is particularly important for biodiversity
conservation. Private land supports 50% of the regions
remaining native vegetation. In addition, agricultural
activities impact biodiversity and water resources across
the region.
Public land such as parks, forests, wetlands, river
frontages, roads and road reserves make up approximately
12% of the LCIR. Large blocks of vegetation, such as
Terrick Terrick NP, Leaghur SP and Gunbower SP, and
wetlands, such as Boort Lakes, Kerang Wetlands and

State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries

The LCIR supports a diversity of native vegetation

including River Red Gum forests, Black Box woodlands,
Mallee woodlands, grasslands and wetlands.
From the Victorian native vegetation classification system
(Ecological Vegetation Classes or EVCs), the dominant
vegetation types in the region are Plains Grassland, Plains
Woodland, Chenopod Grassland and Riverine Chenopod
Woodland. However most of the native vegetation has
either been cleared or highly degraded. 88% of the area
either lacks vegetation or supports mostly exotic
vegetation (see figures 2 and 3).
This extensive loss of native vegetation communities
means that remaining habitats are very important.

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Biodiversity of the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region

Pre 1750s Vegetation Communites

Plains Grassland 26%
Plains Woodland 15%
Chenopod Grassland 11%
Riverine Chenopod Woodland 11%
Ridged Plains Mallee 6%
Lignum Wetland 5%
Lignum Swampy Woodland 5%

LC0436

toxins and cold water into waterways and wetlands has

reduced the water quality. Water underpins the
functioning of the ecosystems in the LCIR and changes
create significant impacts on the presence of plants and
animals. The transition from seasonal to permanent
systems has disadvantaged some species while benefiting
others.

Riverine Grassy Woodland 2%

Woorinen Mallee 2%
Grassy Woodland 2%
Low Rises Woodland 2%
Lignum Swampy Woodland/ Plains Grassland
Mosaic 2%
Other Native Vegetation 10%

Figure 2: Pre-1750 Vegetation Cover (EVCs) in the LCIR

Current Vegetation Communities

Non Vegetation 73%
Private Land No Tree Cover 15%
Plains Grassland 2%
Lignum Swampy Woodland 2%
Riverine Chenopod Woodland 1%
Lignum Wetland 1%
Riverine Swamp Forest 1%

Pest Plants and Animals

Pest plants and animals are abundant in the LCIR due to
vegetation disturbance and inappropriate land
management. This has a major impact on native plants
and animals from increased competition, increased
predation and/or changed habitats.
Climate Change
Climate change will result in a much drier environment in
the LCIR. This will change the range of plants and the
animals they support. Building resilient and well
connected vegetation communities will allow species to
more easily migrate and adapt.

Plains Woodland 1%
Exotic Non-native vegetation 1%
Chenopod Grassland 1%
Other Native Vegetation 4%

Figure 3: Current Vegetation Cover (EVCs) in the LCIR

Threats
The biodiversity of the LCIR faces many threats.
Management of these threats is very important in slowing
biodiversity loss and allowing the recovery of natural
habitats. The main threats include habitat loss and
fragmentation, salinity, altered water regimes, water
quality decline, urban growth, inappropriate recreation,
agricultural activities, pest plants and animals, changed
fire regimes and climate change.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Habitat loss remains one of the key agents for biodiversity
decline within the region. Habitat loss has been caused
by:
clearing for agriculture and urban development;
salinisation of soils and water;
inappropriate grazing regimes;
cultivation for cropping and irrigation;
firewood collection and removal of tree branches;
removal of wood debris from waterways.
This has resulted in habitat patches that support fewer
species because they are more exposed to threats and less
connected to other habitat patches for animal and plant
movement and breeding.
Altered Hydrology and Water Quality Decline
Management of water for irrigation has changed natural
water regimes. Input of salt, nutrients, sediment, chemical

State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries

So, What Can We Do?

Protect remaining biodiversity values from threats.
Fencing to manage grazing along with pest plant and
animal control are arguably the most effective first steps.
In this region the restoration of natural water regimes is
also vitally important.
Enhance the quality of existing habitats. Reintroduce
missing habitat elements such as logs and understorey
shrubs and expand and reconnect small and isolated
vegetation patches through revegetation and regeneration
techniques.
Restore habitats in cleared areas by revegetation using
indigenous (local native) species.
Protection, enhancement and restoration of native
vegetation will help to sustain resilient populations of
native plants and animals, provide more robust landscapes,
buffer degrading processes, enhance agricultural
production, and contribute to the social well-being of the
community.

Acknowledgements

This note was developed from information in the

Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region Biodiversity
Plan.
For more information please contact the Environment
Team at the Department of Primary Industries,
Kerang on (03) 54521266.
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of
information only. Always read the label before using any of the
products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not
guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is
wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore
disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which
may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
Maps contain DPI/DSECGDL information State of Victoria 2008.

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