Planning for the recovery of Lake Toolibin, Western Australia

Lake Toolibin, an intermittently flooded freshwater wetland in the southwest of Western Australia, is threatened by salinization due to extensive clearing within its catchment. The lake is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the extensive stands of trees on the lake bed and its significance as a waterbird breeding site. Past research and monitoring have identified the causes of wetland vegetation and water quality decline and this information has been used to design a Recovery Plan for the lake. The plan is currently in the early stages of implementation and includes both short-term engineering measures to reduce salinity within the lake and long-term rehabilitation measures within the catchment. Community involvement in the recovery process is an integral part of the plan and ensures that recovery of the lake remains as the focus for ongoing catchment rehabilitation.