The saltmarshes and mangroves of Jervis Bay

Abstract

The coastline of Jervis Bay is geomorphologically diverse and its different landforms support very different vegetation communities. The entrance to the Bay is guarded by impressive cliffs, the tops of which support sclerophyll heathland and woodland (Ingwersen 1973, 1976). Much of the shoreline within Jervis Bay is fringed by sand dunes, extensive stretches of which suffered erosion during the severe storms of 1974. Close to settlements, these damaged dunes have since been rehabilitated (Fleck 1975; Davies 1981). Intertidal wetlands are restricted in their distribution but individual stands are, in comparison with other estuaries on the South Coast, extensive – the total area of mangroves being 1.25 km² and that of saltmarsh 2.33 km² (West et al. 1985).