Fraser Coast

It is predicted that the distribution and the abundance of both the animals and plants of the mangroves ecosystem would differ depending on the locations and the effects of the abiotic factors.

The coastal environment I have decided to talk about today is Ningaloo Reef. The reef is on the remote western coast of Australia, it includes one of the longest nearshore reefs in the world. Temperate and tropical currents converge in the Ningaloo region resulting in highly diverse marine life including spectacular coral reefs, abundant fishes and species with special conservation significance such as turtles, whale sharks, dugongs, whales and dolphins.

Mangrove Forest is another type of ecosystem in South Texas. Mangrove Forests are found along the coast in salty waters and the general abiotic conditions are high salinity flooded soils, low wave energy, high temperatures, and muddy soils. Black Mangrove and Buttonwood are the dominant plant species in South Texas Mangrove Forest ecosystem. Buttonwood is adapted to this ecosystem because it resides inland where there is less salty conditions. Black Mangrove is adapted to sandy salty clay soil and requires protection from wave action and they are sensitive to cold weather. Some common animal species that live in Mangrove Forests are many species of fish, crabs, mollusks, and birds. Mangrove forests provide a habitat, shelter, and nursery to these species that reside in this ecosystem. Mangrove forest serve as a coastal protection from severe storms and hurricanes also help remove pollutants and erosion. The economic importance of Mangrove forest is that they support fisheries, water purification, tourism, and coastal protection. Human activities pose a threat to Mangrove Forests because of the removal of some mangroves, boat waves, oil spills, dredging, draining, and diking.

Zonation is the distribution of animals and plants into specific zones according to abiotic factors and characterised by its dominant species [15]. Mangrove zonation is the distinguishable categorisation of a mangrove ecosystem that extends from shore to inland regions. Definitive spatial variation of mangrove species has been recognised amongst different ecosystems worldwide and is accredited as being influenced by abiotic and environmental factors [16]. In Eastern Australia, the majority of mangrove forests may be divided into landward, middle and seaward zones, based off of their placement in relation to tidal position. The following points represent the typical physiognomies characterised by mangroves in their corresponding zones:

Hastings Point is a small coastal town located in New South Wales that is sounded by a national park. Hastings point has been a great location for tourists due to its marine wildlife, beaches and fishing. This destination is home to a magnificent rocky shore perfectly suited for a vast majority and wide range of marine wildlife. The rocky shore has a wide spread of both biotic and abiotic factors which provides a suitable ecosystem for all wildlife but unfortunately this unindustrialized location is becoming over developed. This takes a toll on Hastings point ecosystem immensely because the estuary, beach and the living organisms are slowly diminishing in

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. It is located in Queensland and stretches 2,300 km along the coast, covering 348,000 km2. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was established in 1975 in order to sustainably manage the natural heritage for future generations.

Mangroves are trees and shrubs forming forests on the coastal wetlands, typically growing between saltmarsh and seagrass beds. Sydney Olympic park is the main habitat for the grey Mangrove and the planted river

The rocky shore is the intertidal zone, where the land meets the sea. It has a presence of large and small rocks, with the possibility of rock drop-offs or cliffs. There is a high presence of rock pools, containing an array of living and non-living organisms. The abiotic factors of the rocky shores

The intertidal rocky shore of Caloundra Beach is inhabited by diverse range of biodiversity of animals and plants, many of which have developed high levels of adaptations throughout their existence. The very boundary of marine and terrestrial ecosystem, this environment is subjected to extremes of the physical environment such as temperature, desiccation, wave turbulence as well the ecological interactions that commonly occur in biotic communities (e.g. competition, predation). However Rocky intertidal shores are easily accessible by humans and provide an enjoyable opportunity for passive recreation and for science and environmental education as well.

In areas with vibrant mangrove forests, mangroves prevent erosion and absorb floodwaters, acting as a barrier for protection and a buffer. Mangroves however do have threats and weaknesses, hurricanes can damage them and they are weak to frost. But however the biggest threat to mangroves is humans, which cause habitat destruction and pollution. With these factors we see mangrove forests and mangroves in danger as the combinations also lead to climate change. With rising seas and warmer waters, mangroves may have to adapt or move locations which can put ecosystems unbalanced and change can bring huge disruption to ecosystems, and the way of life for many marine life, habitats and some may not be fit or quick to

17 Application Centre (SAC) present a more recent picture of the total reef area in India and its

Every state had population growth between 2001 and 2011. Queensland recorded the largest growth (845,200 people), while Western Australia recorded the fastest growth (24%). The Northern Territory had the smallest growth, increasing by 33,600 people, while Tasmania and South Australia had the slowest growth (both 8.4%). [6] A key contributor to change in the distribution of Australia's population is internal migration. During 2009-2010, 331,400 people moved from one state or territory to another. This is an 8% drop from the same period one year earlier (359,900). [6]

The seagrass ecosystem is located throughout the world. They are able to adapt to both tropical and temperate regions, but they are more common in the warmer waters (AIMS, 2016). They are mainly found in estuaries, sheltered bays and intertidal coastal regions and are mainly found less than 2m under the water (AUSECO, n.d.). They can also sustain almost all types of ground from mud to rock, but are mostly found in soft substances like sand or mud (AIMS, 2016). Overall the presence of seagrasses depends on sediment condition, water movement, fresh water supply and connection to the ocean, as well as other factors which influence all aquatic plants such as light, nutrient availability, pressure, floods and human disturbance (Government of Western Australia, n.d.). Figure 1 shows why Botany Bay has the ability to support seagrass meadows.

“A mangrove is a tree, shrub, palm or ground fern, generally exceeding one and a half metres in height, which normally grows above mean sea level in the intertidal zone of marine coastal environments and estuarine margins. A mangrove is also the tidal habitat comprising such trees and shrubs” (Mangroves defined, n.d.). To survive in an intertidal environment, they must be able to tolerate a broad range of salinity, temperatures and moisture levels. In an environment with such low oxygen levels, different species of mangroves use different adaptations in an effort to get as much oxygen as possible.

On the 9th of March, I went to Siren’s Rocks to investigate the community pattern, also called zonation, within the bounds of Island Bay’s Wellington Ecological Marine Reserve. The ecosystem of Taputeranga Marine Reserve takes the full impact of the Southern ocean swells. This Reserve is influenced by three different oceanic currents. This is an abiotic factor. The currents impact helps shape the rocky shoreline into the ecological community of different species of shore life into a pattern of different zones (zonation).