Lakeshore erosion is a widespread problem in lakes Alexandrina and Albert. One control option used by land managers is to selectively plant linear stands of Schoenoplectus validus (at depths of 50–80 cm) along shorelines in order to create a “breakwater”. Data from The Living Murray vegetation condition monitoring showed that at shorelines where S. validus was present  (naturally occurring and planted) there was often a diverse wetland plant community compared to shorelines without S. validus, which tended to be dominated by Typha domingensis or Phragmites australis or devoid of vegetation.   

The aim of this study was to compare the plant community at planted shorelines and an adjacent unplanted control shoreline to determine whether planting S. validus has benefits for the aquatic plant community.  Vegetation surveys were undertaken in autumn 2013. At three out of four shorelines that were planted between 2006 and 2007 there was a higher abundance and greater species richness of wetland species compared to the control shorelines. At two of the three shorelines planted more recently (2012 and 2013) submergent species were also present but absent at the control shorelines. Results showed that planting S. validus has benefits other than erosion control. Planting S. validus can facilitate the establishment of wetland plant communities on the shorelines of lakes Alexandrina and Albert in areas that would be otherwise unfavourable. Furthermore, diverse restoration plantings are not required to establish wetland vegetation and revegetation efforts can be directed to planting a single species.