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Grey Mangrove

5/31/2015

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Grey Mangroves stabilise our coastline and protect us from wave and storm surges
Scientific name: Avicennia marina

This tree is an important species in Moreton Bay. A pioneer species it the first plant to colonise any disturbed coastal sites including man made drains in our coastal wetland areas. This mangrove can take many forms from a small bush like plant to a 25 meter tall tree. They are a widespread species found across the Indo-Pacific region. In Moreton Bay they form extensive stands along sheltered coastlines and dominate local areas including Hays Inlet, the Pine River and Eastern Deception Bay.

Theses mangroves have developed a number of strategies to deal with the harsh environment of our sheltered coastal areas. They have peg-like roots known as pneumatophores which project above the sediment and they contain small holes which allow oxygen to be transported to the root system below ground. The root structure also provides stability for the tree in the surrounding soft mud. Grey mangroves can cope with high levels of salt in their sap and can remove excess salt through specialised glands found in their leaves. If you run your fingers over a grey mangrove leaf you will often feel a crusty layer of salt.

These mangroves are important as they act as buffers providing protection for the adjacent wetlands from wave and storm surges. They also improve water quality in our coastal waters as they trap sediments and can even absorb pollutants from stormwater run-off from the land. Their structure provides habitat for many birds, lizards, mammals and insects whilst their peg like roots stabilise the sediment and provide habitat for fish, molluscs and crustaceans. Grey mangrove stands act as nurseries for many commercial species of fish and crustaceans.

Clearly this mangrove is an important component of the coastal area of Moreton Bay providing shelter from storm activity, helping with water quality of our Bay and providing habitat for many species of wildlife including many of our commercial and recreational fish stocks.
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Mangroves can provide shelter for many species including this Koala.
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Ruby Saltbush

5/21/2015

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Scientific name: Enchylaena tomentose

A semi-woody shrub, this plant can grow to a meter high. This plant is distributed along the coastal areas of the Moreton Bay region, but it also found throughout Australia. It is more common in the sub-tropical and temperate areas of the continent but can also be found in the tropics.  It is a hardy plant and is often associated with saltmarsh habitat including the boundaries of saltmarsh associated with Melaleuca, Casuarina and even marine couch pastures. Locally, it can be found around the Hays Inlet wetlands including the Clontarf project site.

The leaves are semi-succulent which is an important adaptation for surviving in the harsh environment associated with saltmarsh. Ruby saltbush produces a small inconspicuous flower from September through to May although it produces a distinct flattened red berry. It is a bush tucker plant; the leaves can be eaten as a green vegetable and the berries are sweet to the taste. Birds are attracted to the berries and the bush provides habitat for insects and lizards. Saltbush is often found around the base of trees due to seed dispersal by birds.
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Casuarina

5/10/2015

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Scientific name: Casuarina glauca

Casuarina trees are able to cope with high levels of salinity and occasional tidal inundation. Consequently stands of Casuarina are often found at the margins of saltmarsh, clay pans and especially patches of marine couch (Sporobolus virginicus). These trees act as a buffer between terrestrial habitats such as Eucalypt and the tidal saltmarsh areas associated with Hays Inlet. Casuarina produces high levels of litter which is transported into the adjacent wetlands during king tides thus providing food and energy to the inhabitants of the saltmarsh and mangrove habitats. Due to widespread coastal development the conservation status of this habitat is listed “as of concern”.

These predominantly coastal trees are distributed along the Eastern coast of Australia from Southern New South Wales to Gladstone in Queensland. They can grow to 20 meters tall and are fast growing and good at fixing nitrogen as well as remediating saline soils and preventing erosion. Their leaves are reduced, fine and feather-like and the name Casuarina is derived from their similarity to cassowary feathers. These leaves are an excellent adaptation to the harsh conditions in and around saltmarsh areas as they restrict water loss.

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The canopy provides habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects. When these trees flower and produce seeds they provide forage for birds including lorikeets and cockatoos, flying foxes. They also provide habitat for abundant insect life which attracts smaller perching birds including finches and the Golden Whistler. The parasitic plant Mistletoe is also a common passenger on Casuarina. The understorey is often dominated by marine couch which provides food for the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, the Swamp Wallaby and many species of invertebrates. Casuarina provides a rich habitat for wildlife in the difficult conditions associated with the adjacent saltmarsh and wetland habitats associated with Hays Inlet.

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The Bungwall Fern

5/1/2015

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Bungwall Fern

Scientific name: Blechnum indicum

This fern also known as the Swamp Water Fern is distributed across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Northern New South Wales as well as Malaysia and Polynesia. The fern was called “Bungwall” by the aboriginal people living around Moreton Bay. A well- known bush tucker plant, its roots were used as a source of carbohydrate by aboriginal people. The thick tuberous roots (rhizomes) were often dried out briefly before they were roasted whole or crushed to form flour which could also be roasted into a type of biscuit.

It is a fishbone fern and it can grow to a meter tall and often forms large stands or colonies around the bases of paperbark trees and the edges of swamps. It can tolerate brackish water. These colonies are located in the wetlands associated with Hays Inlet wherever there are Melaleuca swamps and freshwater lagoons or swamps. The stands provide habitat for frogs, lizards and insects.

The fern is very resistant to fire and well established specimens often have a mound of dirt at the base which indicates a well-developed root system. Because they are a fern they do not flower or have fruit, instead they develop spores on the backs of their leaves. Apart from their contribution to the aesthetics of the Melaleuca forest where they can provide a vivid green understory; they also stabilise the soil, trap nutrients and help to protect stands of Melaleuca from intense, high temperature bushfires.

Further reading:

M. Ryan (2003) General editor Wild Plants of Greater Brisbane: A Queensland Museum Guide

D.L. Jones and S.C Clemesha (1993) Australian Ferns and Fern Allies Currawong Press

G. Leiper, J. Glazebrook, D. Cox, K. Rathie (2009) Mangroves to Mountains: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South East Queensland. Published by the Society for growing Native Plants Logan River Branch
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    Authors

    Bob Crudgington and Chris Joyce

    Redcliffe Environmental Forum Inc

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