The Ramsar-listed Macquarie Marshes has some of the strongest natural carbon-sequestering capabilities in the world - like any other wetland - but it can only deliver results for us if we deliver for it.  

“It was surprising to many people how resilient the Marshes were,” said Professor Neil Saintilan, who has made a career out of researching wetlands. 

“I remember during the millennial drought a lot of us were thinking it was almost like the whole of the marshes went into a coma…to our surprise the wetland really came back to its spectacular self,” he said. 



The local wetlands have, time and time again, made a reputation for themselves in bouncing back into their green glory after mercilessly long dry periods. 

It’s a relief to Professor Saintilan, who lowered his hopes for its survival over a decade ago, after seeing the Macquarie Marshes become such a low priority in water allocation. 

“It’s almost like the Macquarie Marshes were the last cab off the ranks in terms of any water available in the system. Particularly during drought time, the proportion that was available to the Marshes is less and less,” he said. 

Inevitably, when demand for water is high and supply is low, the wonder of birdlife falls in the public priority for more pragmatic uses. 

Professor Saintilan says, however, that keeping the wetlands as a priority is a key to protecting the planet for the foreseeable extended periods of drought that will come with climate change. 

“Mangroves are the world champions of natural carbon sequestration. We know that they capture and store about 10 times the amount of carbon as a tropical rainforest,” he said. 

While coastal marshes and mangroves can store the carbon for thousands of years, inland wetlands are likely to release the carbon when drying out. 

Thankfully, a recent recognition of the importance of the local wetlands, and support from the Ramsar Convention have seen the management of the Macquarie Marshes become a higher priority. 

“There has been a redressing of the imbalance that previously existed between agriculture and the environment.”

“In terms of promoting, enhancing and sustaining a recognisable Macquarie Marshes as an internationally significant wetland, I think we’ve done a pretty good job,” Professor Saintilan said.