Mangrove transgression into saltmarsh environments in south-east Australia

Abstract

The landward transgression of mangroves into saltmarsh environments in the estuaries of south-east Australia over the last five decades is established as a widespread trend through a review of a number of independent studies. This process is occurring in a range of geomorphic settings, and in some cases reversing the direction of longer-term vegetation change. Several hypotheses are advanced to explain this occurrence, including increases in rainfall, revegetation of areas cleared for agriculture, altered tidal regimes or estuary water levels, and increases in nutrient levels and sedimentation. © 1999 Blackwell Science Ltd.