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 t he 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 unlik ely to be explained as a result of a single or particular gradient. It is s uggested that the specific segregation of species is the outcome of the cum ulative interaction between different environmental gradients on one hand a nd tolerance boundaries of each species to each particular gradient on the other. (C) 1999 Academic Press.