Creating a wetland

Background Information

Many small water creatures are able to find temporary ponds to lay their eggs and complete their life cycle. This even includes frogs. These ponds are very important as most of the natural ponds no longer exist. The introduced mosquito fish are found in most of the remaining ponds and these fish kill most of the water life.

Materials

Gardening tools, concrete or plastic liner, plenty of help from strong people, indigenous aquatic plants, ground cover plants and mulch.

Let's begin

Examine and clarify the following issues:

The pond does not need to be deep. An average depth of 30 cm willmeet the needs of aquatic animals.

Before work begins, organise the material to line the pool: 1. If a plastic liner is to be used, (plastic liners are used for the concrete foundations of homes) get advice from the supplier about how the hole should be lined. 2. If the pond is to be lined with concrete, find out from the supplier the following: - can the concrete be purchased with reinforcing fiber so steel reinforcement is not required? - can a waterproofing additive be incorporated into the concrete. - ask what thickness the concrete needs to be? - can they recommend a coating that stops lime leaching from the concrete into the water once the site has been chosen, the site will need to be prepared. When making the depression or hole, take into account the following. - the thickness

links

The Gould League: http://www.gould.edu.au