BugWise

What's important about Tumbi Wetland?

The Tumbi Wetland is a 12 hectare site in Tumbi Umbi on the Central Coast, NSW. In 2005 a management plan of the site was initiated after a site assessment found that the area was being degraded by urban storm-water run-off and the presence of invasive weeds such as willow, blackberry and fireweed.     

The area is looked after by the Tumbi Wetlands Bushcare group, who are working to rehabilitate the area. Work includes removing weeds and transplanting native seedlings. Find out more about Tumbi Umbi here: http://www.tumbiwetlands.com.au/

How is Web2Spider being used at Tumbi Wetland?

In late 2007, Ian Robb attended a BugWise workshop and learnt how to use the BugWise Web2Spider method. He has since recorded the types and abundance of webs in an area where weeds were, and is planning to monitor web abundance and diversity after the weeds have been removed.

Some preliminary results

The two sites were largely covered by exotic plants (Crofton weed and blackberry) and the native sedge Gahnia clarkei (Razor grass). Twenty eight webs were found and nine different web types were recorded (W13, W17, W19, W18, W9, W3, W1, W21, W30). The most abundant web type was W21, while there were only one of W3, W1 and W30. 

Keep watch for more results of this important project coming soon!