Table of Contents
Where is Toolibin lake located?
State of Western Australia
Toolibin Lake is situated in the Shire of Wickepin, approximately 200 kilometres (km) south east of Perth in the State of Western Australia. It is 40 km east of the town of Narrogin (population ca. 4,700 in 2003) and covers an area of 493 hectares (ha) (Figure 1).
Why is the water in Toolibin lake becoming salty?
Salinity. Natural vegetation has been removed in the past to make way for agriculture resulting in the water table rising and bringing salt from underground aquifers. This causes the soil and water systems in that area to become saline, which impacts on the health of Toolibin Lake’s fragile lake floor vegetation.
Why is Toolibin Lake so important?
Toolibin Lake has been recognised as providing important waterbird habitat, particularly for waterbird breeding, and meets the Ramsar criterion of supporting animals during critical stages in their life cycle. Up to 50 species have been observed at Toolibin Lake, which is one of the highest records of any inland south-west wetland.
Is Toolibin the only lake not completely saline?
Many other Wheatbelt wetlands formerly supported a vegetation community and ecosystem similar to that of Toolibin, but clearing for agriculture has resulted in most such sites becoming saline with a concomitant loss of emergent vegetation. Toolibin is the only major lake in the catchment that has not become completely saline.
What is the average annual rainfall in Toolibin Lake?
Toolibin Lake lies in a low rainfall area of the Wheatbelt with an average annual rainfall of 400 mm, mainly falling in May–August, with annual evaporation of 1800 mm. It usually only holds water at certain times of year; sometimes drying out completely for several years; sometimes holding water for extended periods.
Where is stop 1 on Lake taarblin?
Stop 1 is the Lake Taarblin traffic bay on the right side of Yilliminning Road. This lake was fresh with salt sheoak and paperbark on the lake floor but it went saline in the 1950s.