Results
Distribution:
At bicentennial park the use of transects was applied to observe the distribution of the grey mangroves, salt marsh and casuarina. It is evident as depicted below that as the tide recedes, the grey mangrove becomes less dominant and the salt marsh is gradually introduced followed by the integration of the casuarina which prefers less moist soil and consequently thrives further away from the river.
At bicentennial park the use of transects was applied to observe the distribution of the grey mangroves, salt marsh and casuarina. It is evident as depicted below that as the tide recedes, the grey mangrove becomes less dominant and the salt marsh is gradually introduced followed by the integration of the casuarina which prefers less moist soil and consequently thrives further away from the river.
Abundance:
The abundance of seedlings at the Home bush mangrove ecosystem decreased as the proximity towards the river increased, this is a survival technique that prevents the seedlings from being drown by the frequent high tides. The seedlings are more abundant further away from the river because they are not as heavily effected by the tidal inundation. The crab holes however increased as the distance to the creek increased. This is because as the food sources available to the mangrove crab are more abundant closer to the river and it is easier for the mangrove crab to live sustainably closer to their food source.
Temperature:
The temperature recorded at Home bush mangroves during this field study was 22 degrees celsius. The temperature measured was within the average of 12-26 degrees celsius.
Humidity:
The relative humidity measured on this field study was 71% which was within the average range of 60-90%.
Light intensity:
The light intensity that was measured during this field study was 183 LUX which fell short of the average of 400-600 LUX.
Wind speed:
The wind speed recorded during this field study was 0.8m/s which fell between the average of 0-2.0m/s.
Soil PH:
The substrate tested during this field study returned a PH of 5 which fell short of the average of 5.5-8.
Soil substrate:
The soil substrate recorded during this field study had a medium clay content and therefore ranged below the average of a high clay content.
Soil moisture:
The soil moisture level indicated at Home bush at the time of this field study was a 9 this indicated that the soil was wet. This result suited the precedent of having wet soil.
Water salinity:
The PPK that was indicated during this field study was 21.3 PPK and was consequently in the average salinity level range.
Water PH:
The Ph of the water at Home bush was measured at 7 which indicates a neutral water level. This was between the average range of a PH of 6-8.
Turbidity of water:
The turbidity of the water measured at Home bush was 10 NTU which was between the average of below 40 NTU.
The abundance of seedlings at the Home bush mangrove ecosystem decreased as the proximity towards the river increased, this is a survival technique that prevents the seedlings from being drown by the frequent high tides. The seedlings are more abundant further away from the river because they are not as heavily effected by the tidal inundation. The crab holes however increased as the distance to the creek increased. This is because as the food sources available to the mangrove crab are more abundant closer to the river and it is easier for the mangrove crab to live sustainably closer to their food source.
Temperature:
The temperature recorded at Home bush mangroves during this field study was 22 degrees celsius. The temperature measured was within the average of 12-26 degrees celsius.
Humidity:
The relative humidity measured on this field study was 71% which was within the average range of 60-90%.
Light intensity:
The light intensity that was measured during this field study was 183 LUX which fell short of the average of 400-600 LUX.
Wind speed:
The wind speed recorded during this field study was 0.8m/s which fell between the average of 0-2.0m/s.
Soil PH:
The substrate tested during this field study returned a PH of 5 which fell short of the average of 5.5-8.
Soil substrate:
The soil substrate recorded during this field study had a medium clay content and therefore ranged below the average of a high clay content.
Soil moisture:
The soil moisture level indicated at Home bush at the time of this field study was a 9 this indicated that the soil was wet. This result suited the precedent of having wet soil.
Water salinity:
The PPK that was indicated during this field study was 21.3 PPK and was consequently in the average salinity level range.
Water PH:
The Ph of the water at Home bush was measured at 7 which indicates a neutral water level. This was between the average range of a PH of 6-8.
Turbidity of water:
The turbidity of the water measured at Home bush was 10 NTU which was between the average of below 40 NTU.