Ruppia Facts Sheet
Significance of the Ruppia Translocation Project to the Ngarrindjeri People
The Ngarrindjeri’s cultural perspective is that all things are connected: the people, the land, the waters and the plants
and animals; they are all are interrelated and interdependent. Many Ngarrindjeri ngartjis (special animals) are
dependent directly or indirectly on the ruppia as a food source, and the health of the ngartjis, the ruppia, the Coorong
South Lagoon are intimately linked with the health and wellbeing of the Ngarrindjeri people. The drought had a severe
impact on the aquatic plant, animal and fish life of the Coorong which in turn impacted significantly on the bird life
dependent on the Coorong for their food sources, and consequently on the Ngarrindjeri people too. The Ngarrindjeri
people’s long tradition of harvesting a small number of swan eggs from each nest during the late autumn and winter
months illustrates the interconnection of the people, land and waters. This harvesting practice is not merely a food
gathering task but also an important cultural and community event which brings people together to share food, stories
and participate in cultural ceremonies and practices. The restoration of ruppia to the Coorong is central to the
maintenance of Ngarrindjeri culture and traditions. The ruppia translocation project has also provided an employment
and training opportunity for a significant number of Ngarrindjeri people through the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority’s
partnership with DEWNR in the CLLMM Vegetation Program Working Group. The translocation workers were drawn
from Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Contracting and Ngopamuldi Aboriginal Corporation. The translocation work team comprised
of workers from communities at Murray Bridge, Raukkan and Meningie, among other places in the Ngarrindjeri region.
Workers checking a Ruppia plant
Workers at the Lake Cantara seed collection site
Unloading bags at Woods Well
The Ruppia Statement of Commitment
Ngarrindjeri have a long-term aspiration to be centrally involved in the development, planning and implementation of
natural and cultural resource management in the CLLMM region. DEWNR acknowledges its responsibilities under
Ramsar Guidelines to incorporate cultural values into Ramsar site planning and management, and commitments
made under the Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Agreement (KNYA).
The Parties acknowledge that Ngarrindjeri hold a depth of ecological knowledge and understanding of the CLLMM
region and that Ngarrindjeri management has shaped the region’s ecological character. The Parties acknowledge that
vegetation management, revegetation and pest management planning, which is aimed at restoring the ecological
character of the region, must acknowledge and seek to incorporate Ngarrindjeri knowledge and understanding in an
appropriate way. The Statement of Commitment (SOC) establishes an equitable framework to support appropriate
engagement with Ngarrindjeri in the development of the CLLMM Ruppia seed collection and translocation site plans,
and also protects Ngarrindjeri Cultural Knowledge.
The Funding and Service Agreement contains contractual clauses for the protection of Ngarrindjeri Cultural
Knowledge that is collected, used or divulged in respect of the Ngarrindjeri Partnerships Project. The Parties are
currently developing protocols in respect of Cultural Knowledge to assist them to comply with the requirements of the
Funding and Service Agreement.
Ruppia flower and seed head
Ruppia on the shore of the Coorong’s South Lagoon
Restoring Ruppia in the Coorong
Ruppia is a native seagrass and is a crucial part of the Coorong ecosystem. Waterbirds (including migratory
shorebirds) eat the leaves and seeds of Ruppia. The plants also provide food and habitat for invertebrates, fish
(particularly the small-mouthed hardyhead) and other species of the region.
In the Coorong, two types of Ruppia are important:
 Ruppia megacarpa (commonly known as large-fruit tassel), which was formerly dominant throughout much of
the North Lagoon (north of Parnka Point)
 Ruppia tuberosa (commonly known as tuberous tassel), which formerly dominated the South Lagoon (south of
Parnka Point).
What has happened to Ruppia?
The beds of Ruppia, once prominent in the Coorong rapidly declined because of changed water levels and increased
salinity, a consequence of inadequate flows of freshwater over the barrages, particularly during the drought between
2006-2010.
The loss of Ruppia tuberosa and other key species from the South Lagoon has coincided with a decline in many
waterbird species, including those protected under international agreements.
Today, water quality in the Coorong has improved and conditions suitable for Ruppia growth have returned. However
due to the severely exhausted seed bank, Ruppia populations have not naturally returned on a large scale.
What is being done to address this issue?
Research led by Associate Professor David Paton of the University of Adelaide investigated the factors that influence
the distribution and abundance of Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong. Building on this work, a strategy was developed to
re-establish the species in the South Lagoon when conditions improve by seed translocation from a donor site.
Lake Cantara, in the Coorong National Park, has an established and healthy population of Ruppia, and is a donor site
for the translocation project.
In 2013, the first year of the Ruppia Translocation Project was implemented.
What does translocation of Ruppia involve?
Ruppia tuberosa seeds are about 1mm in size, black and tear-dropped shaped, and can be found in lake bed
sediments. At Lake Cantara, seeds are in high density in the top layer of sediment.
Translocation was undertaken in early 2013 when the population at Cantara had already set seed and the lake bed
was dry. A small excavator was used to scrape off the top 15mm of sediment, containing the seeds. Track mats were
used to reduce the impact of the excavator. The seed was collected in strips, with even-width gaps to promote faster
recovery of the Ruppia seed bank in Lake Cantara. The sediment was then collected and transported to translocation
sites on the Coorong.
Planting was carried out when mudflats around the edge of the Coorong South Lagoon are exposed (when water
levels are low). Planting sites were chosen based on water level predictions, as Ruppia grows best at water depths
between 30 and 100 centimetres.
Planting involved lightly agitating the mudflat surface, scattering the seed sediment, and then pressing it into the soil.
Deeper sections of mudflats still had shallow water cover at planting time. For these sections the seed sediment was
scattered directly into the water and local wave action kept it in place.
A total of 20 hectares of mudflat were treated in early 2013 on the eastern side of the Coorong South Lagoon at
Woods Well and Policeman’s Point.
Who is involved?
The Ruppia Translocation Project is supported by an advisory group established to guide and review the project. The
group has representatives from the University of Adelaide, South Australian Research and Development Institute and
the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the Traditional Owners of the CLLMM region, the Ngarrindjeri. The
Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority has been involved in planning, undertaking heritage clearances and on-ground
delivery.
Friends of the Coorong National Park are also involved; especially members who live locally and help monitor at
treated sites.
Monitoring the translocation of Ruppia
In order to assess the success of Ruppia translocation, treatment sites in the Coorong South Lagoon are being
monitored. The donor site, Lake Cantara, is also being monitored to check recovery of the Ruppia populations after
collection.
The text on page two has been used with permission and can be found at:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/river-murray/river-restoration-and-environmentalwater/Coorong_Lower_Lakes_Murray_Mouth/The_environment/Unique_plants_animals/Restoring_Ruppia