Impacts on the Yarra River

Indigenous Impacts
The Wurrunjeri People lived on the Yarra River They would have used the river as a source of food (fish), to wash themselves or simply to cool down on a hot day. The river would also have been used as a form of transport by canoe Fire Stick Farming is creating a network of burned patches of land that are rotated between so by the time its gone back to it has regenerated with an abundance of flora and fauna.
Fire Stick farming ensures that there will always be an abundant source of food. This method creates minimal impact as only certain areas are impacted. Fire allows certain floras seeds to open up, allowing more to grow. Fire Stick farming turned some dry forest areas into savanna, thus, an increase in Kangaroo population

Non Indigenous Impacts

Agriculture Impacts
Soil Compaction Raising of the water table Loss of top-soil Decline in Biodiversity

Industrialisation Industrialisation is the creation of factories

Impacts: Pollution, decline of water quality, removal of habitat, changing the carbon cycle. Widening of the river to get bigger boats through.

Urbanisation The creation of a city or suburban area

- Urbanisation along the Yarra has significantly polluted the water making it hard for fish and other flora and fauna to thrive. Building of bridges for transport over the river.

the impact of Mining

Mining and the Gold Rush has led to pollution of the Yarra River, other impacts include:
Soil Disturbance Loss of Habitat and Biodiversity Chemical leaching Disturbance of Marine Life Introduction of weed species Introduction of invasive species

Conservation practices on the Yarra River

Current Health
In Warrandyte, 30-Kilometres from Melbournes CBD the water is 6x the safe limit of bacteria for swimming and in Abottsford and South Yarra its 85x the safe limit. The Yarra River is not even remotely healthy. You can get involved by building a rain garden which is a natural filter for storm water. You can also help by keeping sewers clean by making sure not to throw away house hold wastes into sewers. Another way they'll is to monitor river health by joining the Heathy Waterways Waterwatch.

Landcare - Landcare Australia is a conservation group which leads thousands of smaller communities in conserving land in Australia. These include Landcare and Coastcare groups with thousands of volunteers across the country, Landcare help everyday people live sustainably and help farmers to work sustainably.

Bush Regeneration

Willow Tree: A large tree that creates a lot of shade. It has long droopy branches and shallow root system. Blackberry Bush: A highly invasive plant species that spreads rapidly and is highly prevalent near creeks and rivers.

Both plant species absorb a lot of water which makes it harder for other plants to survive. The willow tree has a very shallow root system and can block waterways when they fall over, Willow wood is very moist and soft which means its no good to burn or for construction. Blackberry bushes can swamp other plant species, smothering them from the sun and leaving them unable to grow, they can grow densely across waterways and block them up.

Code of Conduct

Canoe touring on white water

Use proper technique to make sure not to splash anyone Stay clear of other vessels If in a group, try and stick together Try not to damage the banks or bankside vegetation Take your rubbish home

Eco Footprint

My Footprint
3.5 Planet Earths would be required to have enough resources if everyone lived like me. 6.4 Hectares would be needed to sustain my lifestyle. Grazing land would take up the most land. Minimising my impact:
Use less energy (Sustainable Energy) Eat less food Drive less Eat more fresh produce Support local farmers

On the inside of the bend there is clear gland which appears to be for farming, there could be high salinity and a raised water table.

Here there are streets and houses: urbanisation. There could be high pollution in the water here.

There is dense population here which coud mean high pollution in the water.

Pollution levels would be hig here with lots of bacteria in from the storm wate runoff