The Ecological Restoration Project will propose a series of science-informed, on-ground activities aimed at reinstating ecological and environmental processes in the Coorong.

Project objective

An overarching goal of the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program is to restore the ecological health of the Coorong South Lagoon and support the site to be a healthy, productive and resilient wetland ecosystem.

While large-scale infrastructure has the potential to support and repair ecosystem functions through the export of excess salt and nutrients from the Coorong South Lagoon, additional strategies are needed to help repair the natural ecosystem functions that reduce nutrient loads and recover a functioning foodweb.

The Ecological Restoration Project (ERP) will build on the outcomes of the Scientific Trials and Investigations project and On-Ground Works project by proposing a series of science-informed, on-ground activities aimed at reinstating and restoring ecological and environmental processes in the Coorong.

What we are doing

Ecological restoration actions that will be investigated include:

  • short-term removal of algae accumulating on shorelines to reduce localised organic matter and nutrient deposition, and improve shorebird access to food in mudflats
  • restoration of benthic macroinvertebrate and aquatic plant communities, encouraging oxygenation of sediments to reduce sediment nutrient loads
  • re-establishing food sources for fish and waterbirds.

ERP investigations will comprise activities conducted under various conditions, including in the field and under controlled conditions (i.e. mesocosms), to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of restoration actions at a Coorong-wide scale.

Two scientists collecting aquatic plant samples in shallow water at the Coorong wetland

Further information

Guided by International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, the Coorong Restoration Roadmap sets out key processes and principles to restore the Coorong from its current state. The document will guide the development of an integrated restoration program to improve ecological function and support the ecological character of the Coorong for many years to come. Learn more about the Coorong Restoration Roadmap.

Read more about the Scientific Trials and Investigations project or to access a range of Coorong research papers and fact sheets visit the Science Publications page.

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