This page is an extract of a script that is part of the video series
"The Living Landscape-an Australian Ecosystems Series".
Visit all ecosystems.

FLOODED RIVER RED GUM
Plants cope with the changing conditions of river banks in times of drought, and of flood. River red gums are so common along streams in dry, open country that watercourses can be traced simply by looking for a line of river red gums. Although the trees prefer permanent water, they can exist happily enough along dry watercourses, and can grow to well over 15 metres tall.

DAMS KILL RIPARIAN FRINGES
The red gum thrives on periodic flooding, but when dams or weirs are constructed and the water backs up behind them, the trees are flooded permanently. The trees have evolved to survive cycles of flood and drought, but if inundated like this, they will die. In fact, any disturbance of the natural cycles can have catastrophic results.

CALLISTEMON
The callistemon, or bottle-brush, also survives periodic flooding. Both the river red gum and the weeping bottle-brush are valuable producers of nectar and pollen.

A MUSK LORIKEET FEEDING ON CALLISTEMON
They provide food for birds like this musk lorikeet (a small Australian parrot) - just one example of the mutually beneficial relationship between flora and fauna on the banks of watercourses.

CARPET SNAKE - AN AUSTRALIAN PYTHON
The carpet python is another common animal along river banks - but it's hard to see. Like many native animals, carpet pythons are superbly camouflaged. The carpet python will feed on birds and bird's eggs and on other small animals that share its habitat. It's an excellent swimmer.

BROLGA, PELICAN & BLACK SWAN
Riverbanks are also excellent habitats for birds like spoonbills, ibis and herons: wading birds with long beaks and legs, that hunt in the shallow water. The birds' beaks also demonstrate adaptation. The beaks are different shapes, depending on what the birds eat. Some beaks are used to sieve the mud for food; others are designed to spear frogs and fish.