Saltmarshes

Saltmarshes occur between the mangroves fringing the tidal areas and the drier land. In most places around our bay mangroves grow right up to where the land becomes dry enough to support wallum vegetation.

Click on images for larger pictures.

Saltmarshes only occur where there is an area of low lying land which is covered with tidal water on very high tides but which is not suitable for growing mangroves. They are covered with succulents, grasses, low shrubs and open saltpans

Saltmarshes are now known to be very important habitats for juvenile fish. They also act as a filtering system for sediments and nutrients. However, they are very fragile habitats. When the soils and plants have been compacted by wheeled vehicles they may need as much as twenty years to rejuvenate.

The saltmarshes around our bay are wonderful places. Tiny plants have even tinier sea creatures living among them. Tiny crabs and even smaller snails give an indication of the health of the habitat.

New growth on plants is green but when the ground dries out and the plant is stressed then the colours change to grey, brown and red. This makes the whole saltmarsh area look a dull red colour. Plants in the saltmarsh flower and set seed but both are so small that it is easy to miss seeing them.

There are several areas of saltmarsh in the Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove area of the bay. These saltmarshes are the preferred roosting sites for wader birds. During high tides all the wader birds roost at the edge of the water line. When the tide is lower the small wader birds can be found busily hunting for food among the small plants.