Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Perry Lakes Reserve, aerial view, from GoogleMaps 15/11/2018
History
Historically Perry Lakes was part of a much larger natural wetland system. The lake surrounds were partly cleared with European settlement. However, further clearing and much infilling occurred from 1962 during landscaping for the Commonwealth Games.
It is thought the lakes originally supported fringing vegetation which included paperbarks, sedges and reeds as well as semi-aquatic and terrestrial species within the lakes. At the time of the Commonwealth Games the open parklands were planted with well-spaced trees, mainly native Flooded Gum.
Image: Orderinchaos CC BY-SA 3.0, via WikimediaCommons
Water level - impacts on flora
Since the mid-1960s water levels in both East and West Lake declined (see figure above) with much of the lake beds drying out in warmer months, in many drier years they were dry year-round.
In Febuary 2023 the Town of Cambridge re-directed the freshwater outfall from the Herdsman Main Drain into West Lake which has replenished water levels in both lakes.
Diversity of natural flora and our remediation activities
Imbalances lead to degradation
Imbalances lead to degradation
Imbalances lead to degradation
The vegetation within the Reserve has been highly modified due mainly to drying of the wetland and through clearing and development. This has resulted in altered vegetation composition and structure, and increased weed invasion.
Studies of the flora identified 28 truly native species, but up to 107 introduced species, many aggressive wee
The vegetation within the Reserve has been highly modified due mainly to drying of the wetland and through clearing and development. This has resulted in altered vegetation composition and structure, and increased weed invasion.
Studies of the flora identified 28 truly native species, but up to 107 introduced species, many aggressive weeds.
This imbalance led to the 2019 survey reporting the vegetation condition throughout the lakes to be generally “Degraded to Completely Degraded with weed invasion having a significant impact on the wetland ecosystem (both flora and fauna).”
Image: Starwort weed removal from re-vegetated lake bank. Flooded gums (Eucalyptus rudis) as open woodland top left with Kikuyu/Couch grass beneath. Top right show mixed Paperbarks (Melaleuca species) and Flooded Gums.
Weeding
Imbalances lead to degradation
Imbalances lead to degradation
Since 2021 the ToC and FoPL have been targeting weed removal at Perry Lakes with ToC undertaking woody weed control including removal of Weeping Willows and Brazilian Peppers on lake edges, cutting bullrushes (Typha) within the lake bed, and treating areas of grass and broadleaf weeds ahead of revegetation.
FoPL have undertaken regular mon
Since 2021 the ToC and FoPL have been targeting weed removal at Perry Lakes with ToC undertaking woody weed control including removal of Weeping Willows and Brazilian Peppers on lake edges, cutting bullrushes (Typha) within the lake bed, and treating areas of grass and broadleaf weeds ahead of revegetation.
FoPL have undertaken regular monthly volunteer weeding sessions since 2021 with an estimate of almost 50,000 plants removed, including an approximate count of 4,500 Turnip Weeds, 3,000 Spear Thistles, and 4,000 Eastern State Casuarinas!
On-going programmes are aimed at specific problem-weed removal, and hopefully eradication!, with targeted weeds including Nightshade, Spear Thistles, Nasturtiums, Pelargoniums, and Starworts.
Image: Weeding group from Friends of Perry Lakes
Revegetation
Imbalances lead to degradation
Revegetation
As part of their Perry Lakes Replenishment Project the ToC started an ambitious revegetation programme in 2022.
This comprised planting 85,000 wetland plants with some 40,00 of these planted in the northern part of West Lake and the NW part of East Lake to provide reed filtration of potentially nutrient-rich inflows to the lakes. In add
As part of their Perry Lakes Replenishment Project the ToC started an ambitious revegetation programme in 2022.
This comprised planting 85,000 wetland plants with some 40,00 of these planted in the northern part of West Lake and the NW part of East Lake to provide reed filtration of potentially nutrient-rich inflows to the lakes. In addition, for native revegetation of the lake edge, ToC planted 3,000 dryland plants and supplied a further 2,000 to FoPL who planted these in July 2022.
In 2023 a further 4,000 dryland plants were supplied by ToC with FoPL Volunteers planting some 3,650 of these and the local Scout Group planting the remaining 350.
These plantings, with an estimated 37% survival rate, are now establishing along parts of the lake edge, and provide an important buffer for the protection of water birds and predator-cover for species like the South-West Snake-necked Turtle and Quendas.
Town of Cambridge will supply 5,000 plants per year to FoPL until approximately 2028.
Through the on-going revegetation programme, plus continuing weeding, the aim is to bring the flora of Perry Lakes back to a good condition and improve the whole Reserve ecosystem while preserving the amenity for the Community.
Image: Planting group from Friends of Perry Lakes