Artificial flood boosts river red gums

[depakid]

A huge man-made flood will protect thousands of hectares of threatened eucalypts.

Red gums along the Murray Riverina, NSW
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SIXTEEN THOUSAND HECTARES of threatened river red gums along the Murray River on the NSW-Victoria border will gain from a NSW government plan to artificially flood the Koondrook-Perricoota State Forest from 2011.

The NSW Natural Resources Commission revealed in December 2009 that in some areas, 75 per cent of river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) are stressed, dead or dying from a lack of water. The new $57m project aims to simulate a major natural flood every three to four years, to help capitalise on winter rain.

"This will ensure at least 30 per cent of the Murray River's red gum forest remains in a healthy condition, along with assisting bird and fish breeding," said Tony Kelly, the NSW Minister for Planning, when he announced the plan on Tuesday.

Digging channels

Next month, engineers from Forests NSW and the NSW Office of Water will begin digging a channel to divert water from the Murray and start installing structures to contain the floodwater within the forest.

"It is going to give the red gums a long-needed drink, which will save some of these very mature trees," says Kevin Evans, with the National Parks Association of NSW. "The water will flow to the Murray via the forest, so it doubles the conservation benefit."

Earlier this year the NSW government announced that new national parks would conserve over 100,000 hectares of red gum forest.

More: http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/artificial-flood-boost-for-river-red-gums.htm

[xchrom]

1. Nice. Nt

[depakid]

3. What we do can make a difference-

B-)

[w4rma]

2. Its nice to see some good news, occasionally. (nt)