Lake Short Conservation Reserve, a 34 hectare property encompassing an ephemeral lake, is located close to the western boundary of Moorunde Wildlife Reserve. This reserve was gifted to the Society by the Lands Department, South Australia.
The lake is usually dry and only fills in years of exception rainfall, approximately once every eleven years. When dry, rapid germination of eucalyptus and melaleuca seedlings occur. When filled with water, water birds and fish quickly find the lake. One can only assume the fish are from nearby farming dams. It only takes a matter of months for the lake to once again dry out.
Similar grazing pressure research projects to those at Moorunde have been done on Lake Short. After the introduction of the Rabbit Calicivirus (dramatically reducing rabbit populations) and fences (removing 100% of sheep), the re-growth of native species has been dramatic.
