The Fleurieu Swamps are water-dependent ecosystems that support a diverse range of plants and animals. They used to line most watercourses of the Fleurieu Peninsula but unfortunately, now there are only fragments left. These isolated sections of swamp are only about 1-5 hectares in size.

Swamps are valued for a variety of reasons including their ability to act as a natural water filter, which improves water quality moving downstream or recharging groundwater. They also prevent erosion by slowing water flows.

Even though the Fleurieu Swamps are severely fragmented, they still provide valuable habitat for a broad range of fauna such as birds and bats, which are important in controlling pest insects.

Of course, these aren’t the only benefits – if you’d like to read more, check out ‘The value of Fleurieu Swamps’ fact sheet. 

The definition of a swamp is fairly broad but generally, all have waterlogged soil and a central area that is permanently wet. An easy description to remember is too dry to swim in, too wet for a picnic!'

There are many different types of swamps. Each swamp has its own mix of soils, water regimes, wetting and drying patterns, landforms and vegetation influenced by the rocks underneath.