Marion Bay Coastcare

Our Director and Principal Ecologist/Botanist, Andrew North, is a dedicated member of the Marion Bay Coastcare group. Alongside a team of passionate volunteers, Andy has been collaborating with saltmarsh expert Dr. Vishnu Prahalad from the University of Tasmania, to conduct monitoring activities focused on the native plants thriving within the saltmarshes of Marion Bay.

In 2020, Andy and Vishnu had the opportunity to meet with Tino Carnevale from Gardening Australia. During their discussion, they shed light on the intricate interconnections between land and marine ecosystems, emphasising the often overlooked significance of this unique environment.

Salt marshes typically reside behind beaches and dune systems. Due to their close proximity to the ocean, they experience regular flooding during high tide and subsequent drying out during low tide. The plants found in these saltmarshes have adapted to such unconventional conditions, including high levels of salt. Moreover, saltmarshes serve as effective catchment areas, gradually slowing down the movement of freshwater from the land. Acting as large filtration systems, they effectively remove excess nutrients and sediment, thus regulating algal blooms and preventing the accumulation of silt over seagrass beds offshore.

Marion Bay Coastcare has been actively operating for nearly 23 years. Throughout this period, their dedicated efforts have focused on re-vegetating native trees, shrubs, and grasses, as well as managing invasive species like sea spurge and boneseed. Additionally, they have diligently monitored the native flora and fauna in the area.

To gain further insight into the fascinating world of saltmarshes, we invite you to watch the ‘Secret World of Saltmarshes’ episode by Greening Australia on Gardening Australia’s website: Secret World of Saltmarshes.

If you’re interested in becoming part of a community land care group, we encourage you to visit the Landcare Tasmania website: Member Group Directory – Landcare Tasmania. Here, you can discover a group near you and actively participate in caring for our valuable land.