"A Forest of Seedlings"
Corrine de Mestre, Technical Officer

This photo was taken Jervis Bays Coastal saltmarsh. This lonely seedling has stood the test of drought, flooding, heat and bucket loads of salt whilst others have not been so fortunate. The survival of this seedling demonstrates the hardiness and resilience of Australian coastal habitats. Yet the fact that it is only one of many within this forest of succulent Sarcocornia demonstrates it’s frailty. Current research is investigating the changes in nutrient levels in the mangroves and salt marsh (i.e. agricultural and urban pollutants) and its affect on the success of Mangrove recruitment.