Home | Where is Rowes Bay? | Geology & Climate Change | People & History  Landscapes |  Tracks & Trails | Plants | Animals | Resources welcome to the Rowes Bay Wetlands learnscape (wet)landscapes: what's in a wetland? Vegetation Communities - Green Alert - Unwetlands  Coastal wetlands are near the end of the catchment where the flat terrain slows the flow of water and pools often form in low-lying areas and depressions in the landscape. The swales of dunes are a great place for coastal wetlands to form. Nutrients in the inflow water are ‘trapped’ in the wetland environment and this natural fertiliser feeds the plants. This highly productive ecological system supports a wide range of wildlife on seasonal cycles. Just as our forests are considered to be the lungs of the world, wetlands are the kidneys. As with kidneys wetlands need to be flushed out every now and then (flooding rain) to freshen them up. At the Rowes Bay wetlands plants, animals and geophysical functions interact to form unique coastal communities The Rowes Bay Wetlands are part of a coastal dune system with its own unique combination of wetland functions, vegetation communities and animal assemblages. Vegetation communities include small patches of coastal vine thicket, dry and seasonally wet woodlands and grasslands (aquatic and terrestrial) with a mixture of fresh and saline aquatic and semi aquatic vegetation in different zones including Samphire forblands and sedgelands. The wetland types and vegetation communities at the Rowes Bay wetland reserve are briefly described below. Rowes Bay Wetlands brochure right click save as 2.2 Mb Also, see: Wetlands of the Townsville Area  ACTFR Report 96/28 25 November 1996  Download Report The Rowes Bay Wetlands are part of a coastal dune system with its own unique combination of wetland functions, vegetation communities and animal assemblages. Vegetation communities include small patches of coastal vine thicket, dry and seasonally wet woodlands and grasslands (aquatic and terrestrial) with a mixture of fresh and saline aquatic and semi aquatic vegetation in different zones including Samphire forblands and sedgelands. The main wetland types are shown on the aerial photograph (above) along with the adjacent ‘drylands’. Rowes Bay Wetland Vegetation Communities Freshwater Wetlands >> During the wet season (usually between November and April) a freshwater wetland is formed in the swale of the old dune system and dominates the environment for three to six months. During this time the area becomes a shallow lake and is quickly colonised by a range of aquatic and water tolerant freshwater plant species and associates. << Bulkuru Swamp/Sedgelands The Bulkuru sedgeland is dominated by the Water Chestnut or Bulkuru Sedge (Eleocharis spiralis), which is an important food source for the Brolga (Grus rubicunda) and Magpie Geese (Anseranas semipalmata). This sedgeland may be influenced by extremely high tides once every few years, but are predominantly shaped by fresh water influences. Transitional Wetlands >> The gentle grade and subtle topographic variation creates a seasonal transition of vegetation from herbs and forbs to grasses and sedges. As the moisture levels of adjacent wetlands change with the seasons (wet, dry and in between) the suite of vegetation growing in these areas also changes. King tides reach into these areas creating dynamic environments with different species dominating at various times depending on the prevailing climatic influences and seasonal cycles. << Paperpark Woodlands Paperbark woodlands occur on poorly-drained soils where freshwater accumulates during periods of high rainfall. Occurring here on the transition zone between the Samphire Forbland/Bulkuru Sedgelands and the mixed bloodwood woodland. These habitats are highly productive ecosystems. Estuarine Wetlands >> The extent of estuarine wetlands is determined by how far the highest tides of the year can infiltrate into the wetland complex. For much of the year the estuarine parts of the Rowes Bay wetland are saltpans and become inundated with a shallow cover of water during the highest tides of the year. When the water recedes and evaporates salt is left behind adding to the salinity levels. One advantage of the salty water is its contribution to weed control. << Grasslands The ‘aquatic’ grasslands here are dominated by Saltwater Couch (Sporobolis virginicus) and are inundated by the highest tides a few times each year. Throughout this community there are the occasional pockets of herbs, sedges and samphires. The soils are generally salty but tend to be less saline than soils of the Samphire Forblands. Terrestrial grasslands are dominant on the landward side of forblands above the salt water influence. They are dominated by native grasses that are also present in the woodlands. This is one of the wetland zones most susceptible to invasion by weeds along with the margins of freshwater wetlands. Samphire Forblands >> Samphire Forblands occur mainly on the edge of the intertidal zone between saltpans and mudflats and ‘dry’ ground. This is a hypersaline (very salty) environment that is only inundated by the highest spring tides. Soils are grey mottled clays with a crusting surface and are highly saline/sodic. << Beach/Sand Ridges Coastal processes have developed an extensive system of low sand dunes and ridges, which run roughly parallel to the coast between Kissing Point and Pallarenda i.e. the extent of Rowes Bay. The remnant of an inland dune forms a sand island (6 to 8 metres above sea level) that partially encloses the Rowes Bay wetland and provides habitat for woodland and vine thicket species. Mixed Eucalypt Woodland >> The Eucalypt woodland is a classic Australian savanna landscape with a mix of species and vegetation communities and varying degrees of plant density and tree canopy cover. Native grasses are an important part of savanna woodlands with Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) and Black Spear Grass (Heteropogon contortus) being typical indicators of undisturbed areas. Common species in the upper canopy of this broad vegetation community include: Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbia tessellaris) and Coastal Bloodwood (Corymbia clarksoniana). Other species include Beach Wattle, Native Ebony, Beach Tuckeroo, Red Ash, Mango Bark and the occasional large Cloudy Paperbark. Typical species in this broad vegetation community include: Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbia tessellaris) and Coastal Bloodwood (Corymbia clarksoniana). Other species include Beach Wattle (Acacia crassicarpa), Native Ebony (Diospyros geminata), Beach Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides), Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa), Mango Bark (Canarium australianum) and the occasional large Cloudy Paperbark (Melaleuca dealbata). Green Alert – Disturbed areas (living on the fringe) As with most natural places next to human settlement there is a range of exotic plants (weeds) on the fringes including some that ‘escape’ from captivity in people’s gardens and public parks. This is on top of the normal weed suspects from rural areas, roadsides and other transport corridors and the blow ins. We ask community members living near natural areas and waterways to help prevent the spread of invasive exotic species that impact the natural values of these unique places. For more information see www.creektocoral.org.au/ Wetlands aren’t always wet It may sound a bit strange (or obvious) that wetlands are only wet when they’re wet and can be dry for months at a time. The Rowes Bay wetlands are considered to be ephemeral because they aren’t wet all the time. The wetlands can be wet or dry as well as fresh and salty. Freshwater flows into the wetlands from the surrounding catchments after rain events and the sea flows into parts of the wetlands from Mundy Creek on the highest tides. The old sand dunes that form islands and ridges are also important as without these dry ‘containers’ there would be no wetlands. The combination of seasonal variation and tidal influence creates an ever-changing landscape suited to a particular range of plants and animals. The range of plants is relatively stable, as they have adapted to the conditions. It would require a significant shift in climate and landscape characteristics to have a long-term impact on the vegetation communities. Short-term climatic variations are more readily noticeable and can result in dry wetlands and conditions that don’t suit either resident or visiting animals. May 2011 The wetlands start to dry out after an extended wet season. October 2011 The wetlands are drier with more dust and smoke in the air.