Mangrove zonation in Mobbs Bay - Australia

Zonation of mangrove vegetation at Mobbs Bay NSW was studied in relation to the physicochemical characteristics of the substrate and canopy cover at the season of seedling dispersal and establishment. The zonation pattern of mangrove species across such a low salinity site (4 to 14) was found to be a function of three environmental gradients, namely sulphide concentration in the sediments, canopy cover and height above the watertable. It is unlikely to be explained as a result of a single or particular gradient. It is suggested that the specific segregation of species is the outcome of the cumulative interaction between different environmental gradients on one hand and tolerance boundaries of each species to each particular gradient on the other.