Mangroves in eastern and southern Australia

Abstract

The floral and faunal ecology of mangrove associations in Australia, particularly those in tropical Queensland, are discussed in this paper. The mangroves conform to a basic pattern of zonation and there may be recognized (1) a landward fringe which may be either (a) forested or (b) colonized by Avicennia and by halophytes; (2) Ceriops thickets; (3) Bruguiera forests; (4) Rhizophora forests; and (5) seaward fringe of Avicennia and Sonneratia. These zones may be modified by the interaction of such factors as rainfall, evaporation, and inflow of freshwater. Where rainfall is well in excess of evaporation the zonation is complete and uninterrupted. Where evaporation is well in excess of rainfall bare areas replace much of zones (2), (1), and (3) in that order and zones (3) and (5) become narrow. Zone (5) is rarely affected. The animals, being forms which live in the shelter and shade of the trees, are affected by this distribution but generally show little or no clear zonation. The animal communities are described and where zonation occurs this is discussed and reasons postulated for this zonation.