There is a widespread recognition of the environmental value of mangrove communities, and this is reflected in both legislation and public concern. The importance of mangrove communities as ecosystems linking terrestrial environments to estuarine and coastal waters is well known, and scientists, conservation groups and recreational and professional fishing interests unite in their opposition to potentially damaging development.

However, mangroves are not the only inter-tidal vegetation on soft sediment coasts. Saltmarshes are also widespread, but until recently they have been virtually ignored - indeed they appear to have been almost invisible.

The saltmarsh environment is much more extreme than that of mangroves, with more variable and higher salinities, no shade - hence higher sunlight on the ground and greater exposure to wind - and less frequent tidal incursions, giving rise to periods of very low soil moisture content. The absence of trees and infrequent flooding make saltmarshes much more vulnerable to damage from recreational vehicles or grazing livestock than mangroves, and makes them more attractive as potential development sites.

Despite the harshness of the environment saltmarshes support a diversity of plants and animals. The various ways in which organisms have evolved to tolerate extreme conditions are fascinating in their own right and are potentially valuable sources of new methods of dealing with environmental problems. The relative infrequency of tidal flooding had led to a popular assumption that, in terms of links to estuaries, saltmarshes were less important than mangroves. We are now beginning to appreciate that saltmarshes are used as habitats by a range of fish species, are important in nutrient exchange between the terrestrial and marine environments and are vital habitat for many species. Wise, sustainable management of coastal resources requires that we recognise and value the role of saltmarshes.

The number of flowering plants that can thrive in saltmarshes is relatively small. The Feild guide to Common Saltmarsh Plants of Queensland does not illustrate all of them, but it does include the majority of widespread species. This will enable major species to be easily identified, and I hope it will encourage readers of this publication to take a much closer look at the fascinating saltmarsh environment. The more we observe, the more we will understand and appreciate, and the more stewardship of saltmarsh resources will become an accepted matter of policy and practice.

Associate Professor Paul Adam
Head, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of New South Wales
Sydney, Australia