Flora:

A riparian zone (the flora community bordering the creek) of wet eucalypt and remnant rainforest species existed in association with the water way. Fresh water and estuarine wetlands completed the picture of a complex and thriving ecosystem. Since European settlement, development of the catchment progressed with little regard for the area's natural history. While much of this vegetation has been lost, pockets of dry eucalyptus forest, riparian vegetation and freshwater/estuarine wetlands still remain.

Dry Eucalyptus Forest

This forest occurs in areas of moderate rainfall and poor soils. Removal of this forest type has significantly increased sedimentation in Loders Creek.

Riparian Vegetation

This vegetation occurs in close proximity to the waterway. The riparian vegetation which still exists is predominately made up of trees, Blue Gum, Swamp Mahogany, Tallowood, Paperbark, Casuarina and Hickory Wattle, and ground cover plants including Matt Rush.

Riparian vegetation directly influences the creek ecosystem by providing habitat and food sources to a variety of terrestrial and aquatic fauna.

Freshwater Wetlands

Wetlands are areas which are inundated with water for at least part of the year. The vegetation is classified loosely into swamps (wetlands dominated by trees) and marshes (wetlands dominated by low growing heath, reeds, water lilies etc.)

Wetlands perform a significant ecological role within the Loders Creek catchment by providing irreplaceable habitat and nesting sites for water birds.

Estuarine Wetlands

These wetlands are regularly inundated with saltwater. Estuarine wetlands within and adjacent to Loders Creek include mangrove forest and seagrass meadows.

The grey mangrove is the predominant mangrove in the Loders Creek estuary. Seagrass meadows are predominated by eelgrass.

While our mangroves are protected by state law, both mangroves and sea grasses are under threat from increased sedimentation. Loders Creek ICMCA is addressing this problem through revegetation and bank stabilization work in the upper catchment.

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Fauna

Ironbark tree

Paperbark tree

Casuarina

Tallowood