94 
Cunninghamia 
Vol. 1 (1): 1981 
Comments: The community is taller where protected from wind. Fire may 
affect structure and species composition. 
Community 11 REEDLA N DI RUSH LA ND with Casuarina glauca and Melaleuca 
styphelioides. 
Structure: Two structural formations occur: 
(i) REEDLAND/RUSHLAND: dominated by members of the Juncaceae 
(rushes) and Poaceae (reeds, grasses). Ground cover dense to mid- 
dense. Saltmarsh and salt couch sometimes present. 
(ii) WOODLAND: Casuarina glauca, Melaleuca styphelioides. Trees up 
to 15 m high, mainly sparse canopy cover, with ground cover dominated 
by monocotyledons (Figure 11). 
Habitat: 
(i) REEDLAND/RUSHLAND: occurs on alluvial flats landward of the 
mangrove community, usually subject to frequent Vidal inundation. 
(ii) WOODLAND: Casuarina glauca, Melaleuca styphelioides. Along tidal 
channels on alluvial flats, on higher elevations (less saline?) than reedland/ 
rushland but occasionally subject to tidal inundation. 
Distribution: Often associated with mangrove communities in Mooney Mooney 
Creek, Piles Creek, Mullet Creek, Patonga Creek and lowland areas near Urnina. 
On the whole, the community is restricted in area and, in the case of the developed 
coastal flats, is only a remnant of what originally existed. As with the mangrove 
community, most of this community is found outside the present Park whose boundar¬ 
ies are set at the high tide mark in most areas. Tidal channels or “backswamps” on 
the floodplain arc dominated by reedland/rushland. 
Main species present: 
Trees: Casuarina glauca, Melaleuca styphelioides. 
Shrubs: Uncommon, Myoporum acuminatum. Acacia implexa. 
Monocotyledons: Phragmites australis, Juncus kraussii dominate in “boggy”, 
saline areas. Others include Baumea juncea, Agrostis avenaceus. 
Herbs: On higher, well-drained sand banks. Viola hederacea, Gnaphalium sp. 
Comments: Variation is due to salinity changes and water-table depth. Differ¬ 
ent species require different saline conditions, e.g. Juncus kraussii is tolerant of 
strongly saline conditions, while Phragmites australis requires less saline conditions 
(Clarke & Hannon, 1970). These differences in saline tolerances are important 
in determining the relative distribution of these species. 
Community 12 SEDGELAND 
Structure: Dominated by monocotyledons, especially the families Cyperaceae 
and Restionaceae. Shrubs when present are scattered and less than 2 m high. No 
trees present (Figure 12). 
Habitat: Occurs on swampy, organic soil often formed where impervious shale 
beds direct the water table to the surface. On plateaux or in shallow basins perched 
above the valleys. 
Distribution: Found as patches of varying size, mainly from Kariong north¬ 
wards. Gahnia swamps are restricted to drainage lines. 
