Site description:

Physical features:

Stream and spring fed swamp on metamorphosed, occasionally sulphidic sandstone and siltstone. Mean annual rainfall 800 mm.

Hydrological features:

Water course: Gold Diggings Swamp. Water Source: Local runoff, groundwater and spring. Wetland system, origin and regime: Inland palustrine spring with a permanent water regime although level may vary. Water Chemistry 21/09/04: pH 6.85, conductivity 93.10 uS/cm, turbidity 21.60 NTU, temperature 11 degrees C. Water depth when full 0.35 m.

Ecological features:

Tall closed set shrubland and tall open wet shrubland. Dominant riparian vegetation includes Acacia retinodes var. retinodes (swamp form), Baumea rubiginosa, Baumea tetragona, Blechnum minus, Carex appressa, Empodisma minus, Gahnia sieberiana, Goodenia ovata, Juncus sarophorus, Lepidosperma longitudinale, Leptospermum continentale, Leptospermum lanigerum, Phragmites australis, Pultenaea daphnoides and Triglochin procerum. Buffer Vegetation includes Acacia myrtifolia var. myrtifolia, Acacia retinodes var., Eucalyptus obliqua, Eucalyptus ovata and Pteridium esculentum.

Significance:

Gold Diggings Swamp is a large, intact Fleurieu Peninsula swamp in the upper catchment of Callawonga Creek. Fleurieu Peninsula Swamps are a threatened ecological community (EPBC Act 1999). This swamp is in near pristine condition and supports a number of threatened plant species.

Notable flora:

The site supports 10 regionally threatened species including two that are also threatened at a state level. These are: Melaleuca squamea - Sr and Rare Southern Lofty and Myriophyllum amphibium - Sr and Rare Southern Lofty.

Notable fauna:

None known.

Other Fauna:

See taxon information.

Social and Cultural values:

Gold mining has occurred in the area and there are a number of abandoned mine shafts on the site.

Land tenure:

Tenure on site: Private/Public. Surrounding: Private. Note that access to the site is restricted, requiring permission of the landholder.

Current land use:

Onsite: Private Conservation. Surrounding: Private Conservation, Forestry (pine) and Grazing (sheep & cattle).

Disturbance or threat:

Past/present: Dams - upstream, erosion, overgrazing, vehicle tracks and weeds. Potential: Overgrazing.

Conservation measures taken:

Some fencing and weed control has occurred. Some of the area is privately managed for conservation.

Management authority and jurisdiction:

Freehold, Forestry SA.

References:

(Harding in press) See SA Reference List

Compiler & date:

G Anderson, SA Department for Environment and Heritage, 30/5/05.

Drainage: