The phytosociology of coastal saltmarsh vegetation in New South Wales.

Abstract

Abstract: Saltmarsh vegetation from the central New South Wales coast is classified into a number of communities. In some cases identical, or very similar, communities also occur on seacliffs. The classification of these communities is discussed and a number of amendments to the scheme proposed by Bridgewater (1982a) are suggested. The number of communities found in NSW saltmarshes is less than on marshes further south and it is suggested that climatic factors may be correlated with the decline in diversity at lower latitudes. The relationship between the communities recognised in Australia and saltmarsh vegetation in other continents is briefly discussed.