Sources of sediments:

• Sediments enter wetlands from diffuse catchment via overland surface flow (local watershed) or in flood waters (overbank flow) or directly from urban and agricultural land use or point sources.
• Land use activities, such as agriculture, urban development, mining and forestry, disturb soil/vegetation and can result in increased erosion and thus sediment loads.
• Clearing of wetland and fringing zone vegetation can result in increased wind driven resuspension of bottom sediments in shallow waters.
• Hydrological modifications can change water velocities and resuspension rates.
• Livestock and feral pig trampling/digging within a wetland can resuspend sediments.
• Clearing of wetland, fringing zone or catchment vegetation, or vegetation loss through poor fire management, can result in increased sediment run-off (erosion) due to bare ground or decreased sediment removal from the incoming waters.