To support the restoration of a wetland in Launching Place, Yarra Valley Water has deployed a cutting-edge scientific technique known as Environmental DNA (eDNA).
In a paper presented at the Australian Water Association’s headline event, OzWater’25, Yarra Valley Water Graduate Program Scientist, Ava Cole, shared how eDNA helps the utility to identify the fauna species that are currently occupying or visiting the land near its Upper Yarra Treatment Plant where the wetland will be restored.
Ms Cole said eDNA helps Yarra Valley Water to understand how it is improving biodiversity through this project.
“We’ve taken water samples from the lagoons, billabongs and creeks, and sent them to be analysed using a process called ‘metabarcoding’, which shows us what kind of species live in or visit the area,” she said.
“We’ve been able to confirm an abundance of different species, including fish, birds, mammals and reptiles across the site where we’re undertaking restoration works.”
Among the species identified were the striped marsh frog, Australian shelduck, common froglet, southern short-finned eel and the purple swamphen.
This habitat restoration project aims to not only support the species already existing at or visiting the site, but also two critically endangered species. The new wetlands will serve as a planned release point for captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters and lowland Leadbeater’s Possums.
Ms Cole said the water corporation’s use of eDNA may be extended to other projects.
“The technology has proved really useful at the treatment plant, and it’s something we will look to use at other locations.
“It means when we start a project, we have a good understanding of the baseline state of biodiversity, and subsequent testing will demonstrate whether we’ve improved biodiversity in the area.”
More information about the creation of the wetland can be found on the Yarra Valley Water website.
