What are mangroves and saltmarshes?

Mangroves and saltmarshes occupy transitional zones between wet and dry land and are typically found in the upper tidal zone of coastal waterways. They are a community of foreshore plants that can tolerate salty conditions. Mangroves are woody shrubs and trees that grow along the foreshore, usually at the mean high water level. Saltmarshes are made up of low vegetation grasses, herbs, reed, sedges and shrubs that occupy the high tide zone. In City of Canada Bay, when saltmarshes and mangroves coexist, saltmarshes are typically found at higher elevations where they are inundated less frequently than mangroves.

Saltmarsh and mangrove communities have historically been undervalued and in severe decline, as a result of land reclamation for industrial, residential and recreational development. Major threats to coastal wetlands has been attributed to foreshore reclamation, weed invasion, pollution, climate change and pedestrian traffic. In NSW, the Coastal Saltmarsh listed as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) (in NSW under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995) as it is facing a very high risk of extinction. Both mangroves and saltmarsh communities are protected in New South Wales (NSW) under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

Why are they important?

Mangroves and saltmarshes are an important part of the foreshore ecology and serve a number of purposes like:

• They are highly productive habitats - mangroves and coastal saltmarsh communities provide food and shelter for a variety of invertebrates like prawns, crabs, molluscs and insects. During high tides, fish such as the Yellowfin Bream, feed upon the invertebrates. Saltmarsh are also important roosting and feeding grounds for migratory birds such as Godwits, Curlews and Sandpipers.

• They keep our river clean - they act as filters by trapping nutrients and sediments to help maintain water quality.

• They protect and stabilise the foreshore - with predicted increases in storm surge intensity and rising sea levels, they play a crucial role in protecting coastal foreshores by absorbing the energy of wind and wave action helping to minimise erosion.

• They capture and store large quantities of carbon - Australia’s coastal wetland ecosystems capture carbon on a per hectare basis at rates of up to 66 times higher and store 5 times more carbon in their soils than forests.

How can you help?

Some actions you can take to protect this important foreshore ecology includes:

• avoid driving, walking or biking through saltmarsh areas;
• dispose rubbish and chemicals responsibly - remember, the drain is just for rain;
• be a responsible pet owner by picking up your dog's poo; and
• join a a Bushcare or Love Your Place group to help with litter clean up or regeneration projects.