Mangroves of Hays Inlet 1 - The Grey Mangrove

The dominant mangrove species in Hays Inlet is the Grey mangove ( Avicennia marina ). This is the mangrove seen by people on planes flying north out of Brisbane's airport.

The Grey mangrove is the species almost found right around Australia. A boardwalk at St Kilda just north of Adelaide takes you through an area of Grey mangroves. Only the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight deny the Grey mangrove the opportunity to be found right around the Australian coastline ( except Tasmania! )

The Grey mangrove is an important species in building up coastlines. They have breathing roots which grow vertically up above ground level. These roots help the plant to survive in the mud. The roots also help trap sand and silt which build up the coastline.

It is believed that some of the Grey mangroves near the airport around Deception Bay were growing there when Captain Cook sailed up the east coast of Australia. Believe it or not. They would be very old trees.

Mangroves such as the Grey are also believed to have been important in saving some communities in Sri Lanka and Thailand following the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami. These plant communities took the force of the waves and slowed the inland rush of water. Believe it or not but this one should be able to be followed up.