Human influences on the mangrove ecosystem
For decades the bicentennial park region has been altered and renewed, the clearing of mangrove forests, pollution of the river and increased estuary sediment have all contributed to a steadily downgrading environment.
The initial aboriginal inhabitants used the Home bush bay location for natural resources which they used in a sustainable way only taking what they needed, they aboriginal left little or no significant impact on the mangrove ecosystem. However the European settlement had a great effect on the Home bush mangroves as they started to use the land in an unsustainable way.
The Europeans used the bicentennial park region mainly for agricultural reasons. Subsequently, salt pans were established at the Home bush region. The Home bush mangrove ecosystem is now surrounded by infrastructure and roads. The most significant infrastructure that effects the home bush mangroves is ANZ stadium which was previously used to host the 2000 Sydney olympic games. Due to the fact that the home bush mangroves are located at a downgrading slope to its surroundings, the pollution that is left behind is washed into the mangrove ecosystem by rain, wind and other forces. A preventative technique which has been implemented by the council are the floating pollution booms which prevent the debris that has swept of blown into the mangrove regions from entering Parramatta river. This debris is caught in the floating booms includes plastic bags and bottles and can be physically removed from the boom following a short period of time. This effectively prevents the further pollution of Parramatta river. This effects the ecosystem because they are foreign objects that did not break down easily. An example of such pollution is the dioxin produced by the union carbon that was leaked into Parramatta river from a battery factory at Home bush bay.
The dictionary definition of dioxin is; "A highly toxic compound produced as a by-product in some manufacturing processes.It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant." It is evident that this material is detrimental to the environment because it is so toxic, as a result of this contaminant in Parramatta river fishing is prohibited. Test results on the river revealed excessive levels of dioxins in the fish and other organisms in parramatta river and the connected estuaries. A ban was consequently placed on commercial fishing in 2006 to prevent diseases from the consumption of such organisms. Recreational fishing is not prohibited however there are recommendations as to how much of the produce obtained from the river should be consumed if desired (no more than 150 grams per month), otherwise it is suggested that anything caught in Parramatta river should be released.
Abattoirs have also had a negative effect on the Home bush bay ecosystem by leaving behind organic waste in the river that polluted the river. The introduction of alien species at the Home bush mangroves such as foxes, rabbits, sheep, cattle, pigs have changed the energy flows and nutrient cycles of the pre-existing organisms. Following the European settlement the abundance of the little tern in particular was diminished following the introduction of increased numbers of domestic or feral cats and dogs, which hunted the little terns decreasing their overall population size. Additionally the black rats that were introduced from the European ships competed with the native bush and water rats within the mangrove ecosystem. Competition for resources such as food, shelter and territory displaced the native animals as a result of introduced species.
The initial aboriginal inhabitants used the Home bush bay location for natural resources which they used in a sustainable way only taking what they needed, they aboriginal left little or no significant impact on the mangrove ecosystem. However the European settlement had a great effect on the Home bush mangroves as they started to use the land in an unsustainable way.
The Europeans used the bicentennial park region mainly for agricultural reasons. Subsequently, salt pans were established at the Home bush region. The Home bush mangrove ecosystem is now surrounded by infrastructure and roads. The most significant infrastructure that effects the home bush mangroves is ANZ stadium which was previously used to host the 2000 Sydney olympic games. Due to the fact that the home bush mangroves are located at a downgrading slope to its surroundings, the pollution that is left behind is washed into the mangrove ecosystem by rain, wind and other forces. A preventative technique which has been implemented by the council are the floating pollution booms which prevent the debris that has swept of blown into the mangrove regions from entering Parramatta river. This debris is caught in the floating booms includes plastic bags and bottles and can be physically removed from the boom following a short period of time. This effectively prevents the further pollution of Parramatta river. This effects the ecosystem because they are foreign objects that did not break down easily. An example of such pollution is the dioxin produced by the union carbon that was leaked into Parramatta river from a battery factory at Home bush bay.
The dictionary definition of dioxin is; "A highly toxic compound produced as a by-product in some manufacturing processes.It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant." It is evident that this material is detrimental to the environment because it is so toxic, as a result of this contaminant in Parramatta river fishing is prohibited. Test results on the river revealed excessive levels of dioxins in the fish and other organisms in parramatta river and the connected estuaries. A ban was consequently placed on commercial fishing in 2006 to prevent diseases from the consumption of such organisms. Recreational fishing is not prohibited however there are recommendations as to how much of the produce obtained from the river should be consumed if desired (no more than 150 grams per month), otherwise it is suggested that anything caught in Parramatta river should be released.
Abattoirs have also had a negative effect on the Home bush bay ecosystem by leaving behind organic waste in the river that polluted the river. The introduction of alien species at the Home bush mangroves such as foxes, rabbits, sheep, cattle, pigs have changed the energy flows and nutrient cycles of the pre-existing organisms. Following the European settlement the abundance of the little tern in particular was diminished following the introduction of increased numbers of domestic or feral cats and dogs, which hunted the little terns decreasing their overall population size. Additionally the black rats that were introduced from the European ships competed with the native bush and water rats within the mangrove ecosystem. Competition for resources such as food, shelter and territory displaced the native animals as a result of introduced species.