Freshwater aquatic plants of Darwin Harbour catchments

This paper reviews published and other works relating, either directly or indirectly, to the aquatic plants and wetlands in the Darwin Harbour Catchments. Although some data are available, wetlands and aquatic plants of the area are yet to be systematically surveyed and the processes at work are frequently poorly understood. The area contains 65% of the aquatic plant species known from the northern part of the Northern Territory. Seasonally inundated wetlands and their flora are by far the most extensive, with lagoons and swamps on sandy substrates a major feature of the region. These lagoons and the lower Howard River floodplain are likely to be highly productive, though relatively species poor, based on research on similar wetlands in the Alligator Rivers Region. In contrast, the extensive very shallow wetlands on infertile sand are relatively high in NT endemic species and species of conservation significance. This environment is likely to be highly susceptible to raised nutrient levels and minor modification of drainage patterns and is threatened in the long term by surface mining and other development. There is a need to more clearly identify the values and vulnerability’s of the different types of wetlands and associated flora to enable more effective planning, management and conservation of important areas.