Grey Mangroves

Description:

Avicennia L. (1753) is the sole genus in the exclusively pantropic mangrove family Avicenniaceae Endl., once grouped within the family Verbenaceae. This small but widespread and distinct mangrove family is characterised by anomalous secondary thickening, leaf anatomy, characteristic pollen, incipient vivipary and seedling morphology. Mangroves are essential habitat where bountiful and beneficial fish live, feed and breed. Mangroves nurture much of the country's fish catch. Coastal mangroves protect reefs by filtering catchment runoff, and reducing shoreline erosion. Healthy mangroves support healthy corals with clearer, cleaner water - lower in sediments and chemicals. A helpful link to identify mangroves: http://www.mangrovewatch.org.au/index.ph...

Habitat:

They occupy a diversity of habitats within the tidal range and across salinity extremes of tropical and subtropical sheltered areas. Avicennia occur throughout most tropical-subtropical regions of the world. Of the two species found in Australia, Avicennia marina is ubiquitous and widespread.

Notes:

Anyone travelling on the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane will have passed through Urunga, a small town nestled between the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers on the NSW north coast. Dotted along the banks of both rivers are mangroves, with more substantial mangrove forests upstream. I took these photos on the Kalang River, just beneath the Urunga Rail Bridge. Mangroves are very surreal places and lend themselves beautifully to the abstract form, and as an artist, I find them very appealing. I love these images for their strong sense of fluidity, marrying together the ever-shifting light and rippling water.