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Changes to natural processes, systems and environments
Catchment land use and development
The health of wetlands are greatly affected by the land use and development in their catchment areas.
In areas with natural forests, rainwater is filtered and slowed down by the trees and vegetation. This means that when the water flows into the wetland and its tributaries, it carries fewer sediments and pollutants, resulting in better water quality. However, in urban or agricultural areas, where there's a lack of natural vegetation and a large amount of hard surfaces like roads and buildings, rainwater rushes off quickly. This can lead to erosion, carrying more sediments and pollutants into water bodies affecting water quality.
Today, the majority of the Longneck Lagoon Catchment is classified as nature conservation and is protected land within Scheyville National Park. However, approximately 30% of the catchment contains rural and residential properties and some small farms. During heavy rain and minor flooding events, pollutants from these surrounding properties such as fertilisers, animal waste and garbage can make their way into the lagoon.
The Longneck Lagoon Catchment also falls within the greater Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment. The low lying area of this catchment has seen significant land clearing and development, in particular for agriculture. During moderate to major flooding events, the amount of pollutants that can potentially enter the lagoon are far greater. Further to those listed above, these include pollutants such as sewage, industrial waste, household chemicals and household belongings.
Source 1A diagram of the urban and natural water cycle.https://resinbondedaggregates.com/blog/uk-flooding-what-is-causing-it-and-what-is-being-done-about-it
Source 2A satellite photograph of Longneck Lagoon showing land uses in the catchment. https://geo.seed.nsw.gov.au/Public_Viewer/index.html?viewer=Public_Viewer&locale=en-AU
Source 3An aerial view of the agricultural areas around Richmond (in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment) before flooding. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/satellite-images-show-flood-damage-in-windsor/100029758
Source 4An aerial view of the agricultural areas around Richmond after flooding. There is potential for pollutants from these farms and homes to enter Longneck Lagoon.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/satellite-images-show-flood-damage-in-windsor/100029758
Pre-excursion activity
Use the Google Earth project below to locate Longneck Lagoon EEC. Record the different types of land uses around the lagoon.
Impact of flooding on people and communities
Flooding at Longneck Lagoon has a significant impact on Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre and its visitors.
In the lead up to flooding events, Longneck Lagoon EEC staff need to carefully monitor weather reports and emergency service announcements to ensure they are adequately prepared for a flooding event.
In preparation for flooding events, staff are required to move all centre equipment to higher ground. Because LLEEC is required to cease operations during flooding events, contact needs to be made with teaching staff and visiting schools to cancel and re-schedule excursions, impacting the staff that work at the centre as well as those schools booked in to visit the centre.
Following flooding events, the soil surrounding the site is contaminated by pollutants such as raw sewage which makes it unsafe for use. Flooded buildings and equipment need to be cleaned and repaired and are often unable to be used for weeks or months at a time. The clean up that occurs after a flooding event requires time and a significant amount of labour. As a result, the centre can potentially be closed for weeks. The replacement of equipment and repairs that are required after flooding events are costly and take time to approve and organise. Waterlogging can also make areas of the site difficult to inaccessible. As a result, school programs often need to be modified and learning spaces re-located which impacts teaching and learning.
Flooding events at Longneck Lagoon can also take a physical and psychological toll on staff.
Source 5 The relocation of kitchen and classroom items to higher ground in the Longneck Lagoon EEC mud brick shed.
Source 6The classroom inundated with water during the July 2022 flood.
Sources 7 and 8The classroom and kitchen after the March 2021 flood. The water levels during this flood were much higher than predicted. Because of these inaccurate predictions, equipment remained in both rooms causing extensive damage to the centre.
Post excursion activity
The following Google Slide presentation contains a number of images showing the impact of floods at Longneck Lagoon EEC. Use the photographs in this presentation to complete the activities on pages 7 and 8 of your fieldwork booklet.
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