Australian Wetlands Database

Ramsar wetlands

Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands

Overview

Key facts and figures:
Date of listing:	29 August 2001	The remnant habitats support a variety of native birds, several of which are of regional and state conservation significance (2007), Photo: Jeanette Muirhead
Australian Ramsar site number:	57
Criteria:	1, 2, 3, 6
State/Territory:	Victoria
Area:	Edithvale Wetlands: 103 hectares. Seaford Wetlands: 158 hectares
Drainage Division or IMCRA region:	South-East Coast
Wetland type:	P - Seasonal/intermittent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha); includes floodplain lakes Q - Permanent saline/brackish/alkaline lakes R - Seasonal/intermittent saline/brackish/alkaline lakes and flats
Key features of the site:
The Edithvale-Seaford wetlands are located in the south-eastern suburbs of Edithvale and Seaford in Melbourne, Victoria. They are the last remnants of the once extensive Carrum Carrum Swamp, a large inter-dunal lagoon that was largely drained in the late 19th century. The Ramsar site is used for flood control, conservation, recreation and education. The wetlands in the Ramsar site are naturally fresh to brackish marshes and open water wetlands, underlain by peat beds that limit the entry of saline groundwater. Both wetlands receive waters from the surrounding urban and semi-rural catchment and discharge to Port Phillip Bay via drains. The wetlands provide habitat in an urban setting for remnant species, supporting a range of native and introduced vegetation. A total of 202 plant species have been recorded for the wetlands, including a significant extension to the range of the native Southern Water Ribbons. Remnant habitats support a variety of native bird, mammal, frog, reptile, fish and invertebrate populations, several of which are of regional and state conservation significance. Seaford Swamp is a site of international importance for the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. The Carrum Carrum Swamp was part of the extensive lands traditionally occupied the Bunerong people, providing important sources of food and material. The wetlands are now in the midst of an urban environment and are managed as an integral part of the regional drainage system. They are a significant resource for passive and nature-based recreation, and offer environmental education opportunities for local schools, tertiary institutions and the wider community.
Justification of the listing criteria:
The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Ramsar Site meets four of the nine criteria: Criterion 1: The site contains the last remnants of the Carrum Carrum Swamp, a large freshwater wetland which was largely drained in the late 19th century. The wetlands have hydrological importance for this area. The wetlands, which include the locally depleted shallow freshwater marsh wetland type, are an essential component of the regional drainage system in receiving, retaining and diverting stormwater and other surface runoff. Criterion 2: The site supports significant populations as well as foraging and potential breeding habitat of the Australasian Bittern, which is listed on the 'The 2008 International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species' and is threatened in Victoria. The species has been repeatedly recorded at the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands since surveys began in 1989. Criterion 3: The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands support ecological vegetation communities characteristic of the Gippsland Plain Bioregion, many of which are threatened. In addition, the site also represents 85% of the waterbird species recorded in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion. Criterion 6: Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands regularly supports more than 1% of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway population of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Please see the More Information page for additional information on this Ramsar site and access to the Ramsar Information sheets and other associated site documents.

More information

The Ramsar Convention encourages the development of three key documents for each Ramsar site: Ramsar Information Sheets - required at the time of nomination of a site to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, are to be updated every six years, or when there are significant changes in the site's ecological character. Ecological Character Descriptions - describe the ecological character of the site at the time of its listing as a wetland of international importance. Management Plans - used to formulate and implement planning so as to promote the wise use and conservation of wetlands. For more information about these documents see the Ramsar documents page. Along with the available site documents, additional information and resources on this Ramsar site are listed below. Please note that apart from the Ramsar Information Sheets, not all documents are currently available for every Australian Ramsar site.
Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS):	Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands RIS - PDF \| RTF
Ecological Character Description (ECD):	DEPI (2012) Description of the Ecological Character of the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Ramsar Site
Management Plan (MP):	Ramsar Management Plan for the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands
Additional information provided to the Ramsar Secretariat:
Other information:	Victorian Ramsar wetlands National Reserve System Species Profiles and Threats database Protected Matters search tool Migratory Species in Australia National Landcare Programme Weeds in Australia and weed management

Additional resources:
Carter, M. (1975). 'Conservation and Management Proposals for Edithvale - Carrum - Seaford Wetlands Areas.' Unpubl. report of the Wetlands Investigation Committee. Lane, B.A., Bezuijen, M., Orscheg, C. and Todd, J. (1999). Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Ramsar Management Plan. Ecology Australia Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Watkins, D (1993). 'A National Plan for Shorebird Conservation in Australia.' RAOU Report No. 90. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. Moonee Ponds, Victoria.