The vegetation of the Mgeni Estuary, Mhlanga Estuary and Mdloti Estuary was analysed according to the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method using quadrats of 4m2 and 25m2 in area placed subjectively and the Point-Centred Quarter method with points chosen whilst traversing. A classification of plant communities is given. These are described floristically and related to habitat variables. Indicator species of the climatic climax of coast forest occur within the study area. The absence of coast forest is ascribed to low altitude, tidal inundation and the consequent effect of salinity, basal inundation resulting in a high water-table and the influence of man. The floodplain of the Mgeni Estuary is dominated by mangrove vegetation comprising mainly Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Avicennia marina whereas vegetation established on Athlone Island is dominated by mesophytic thicket comprising mainly Schinus terebinthifolius, Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata and Cardiospermum grandiflorum. The floodplain of the Mhlanga Estuary is dominated by Phragmites australis. The shores of the Mdloti Estuary are dominated by Barringtonia racemosa, Phragmites australis and Echinochloa pyramidalis. Major differences in vegetation patterns of the three systems are related primarily to the differences in the open nature of the river mouths. This is controlled mainly by river flow and longshore drift. Differences in vegetation patterns within an estuary are dependent on differences in tolerances to salinity, basal inundation and shade, together with variations in altitude and edaphic factors and competition between species. Generally soils of Mgeni Estuary had higher contents of small sized fractions, bulk densities, reserve acidities, organic matter, salts and exchangeable bases and lower pH than soils at Mhlanga Estuary and Mdloti Estuary. Differences exist between mangrove and non-mangrove soils at Mgeni Estuary and differences between the non- mangrove soils at the three study sites. Major differences in soil characteristics are as a result of differences in tidal inundation, geogenetic parameters and biotic factors. Information on topography, hydrology, geology, climatic factors, biotic factors and historical background of the area is given. A check-list of vascular plants is included. The work is illustrated by 44 figures. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1986.

Bibliography: leaves 275-290 / xviiii [i.e. xvix], 352 leaves : ill ; 31 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1987

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Joint Program in Marine Geology and Geophysics (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), September 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Includes bibliographical refe / xiv, 171 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates the causes and consequences of a sudden dieback of intertidal and shallow subtidal seagrasses along 95 km of the eastern coast of Spencer Gulf, South Australia. Concludes with a conceptual model specific to shallow waters of Spencer Gulf where climatological extremes and geological processes are the main environmental factors influencing the processes of seagrass dieback and subsequent recolonisation and succession. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Adelaide University, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 2001

No description available.

Marshes and seagrass beds have been widely recognized as important habitat for estuarine species, but less has been done on how these habitats interact and function together, thereby limiting understanding of the variability of juvenile recruitment to coastal systems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the interaction between fringing marsh and adjacent seagrass for the provision of habitat for juvenile nekton. Weekly seine net and benthic seagrass core sampling from June to November 2020 determine the relationship between nekton and marsh-edge and seagrass habitat. This study shows disparate results, in terms of the effects of proximity to marsh edge and seagrass biomass on nekton abundance and size, pointing to different selectivity of marsh edge versus seagrass by different species. In addition, there are no effects of proximity to marsh edge and seagrass biomass on community composition, but an interactive effect on community dispersion.

Thesis (M.E.S.)--The Evergreen State College, 2009. / Title from title screen (viewed 10/21/2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 112-118).

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

This thesis has investigated the improvement of forecasting temperature in a coastal embayment through the assimilation of sea surface temperature (SST) observations. The research was prompted by the increasing pressures on the coastal marine environment. To better manage the environment, an improved understanding of its future state is necessary. Improving the forecasting of temperature advances our knowledge in this direction. Whilst assimilation of SST is routinely carried out for oceans, its use has been minimal in coastal regions, which is more complicated because of anisotropic covariances and a breakdown of geostrophy in the coastal region. Improvements in computing power, and the introduction of ensemble-based assimilation techniques have made the approach followed in this thesis possible. (For complete abstract open document)

A study of the dynamics and functions of a coastal dunefield at the Bushman’s River Mouth in Kenton-on-Sea was conducted to provide essential information for the formulation of a management strategy based on an ecosystem approach. Bi-monthly tacheometric surveys were undertaken at the Westbourne Road Car Park dunefield to investigate the sedimentological processes. Changes in the topography, the amount and rate of sand accretion were monitored. Accretion and progradation were the dominant long-term sedimentological processes at the site. Long-term spatial variation in these processes corresponded to the temporal pattern of sedimentation in the river mouth while short-term variation resulted from dynamics inherent to the types of dunes present. Factors affecting aeolian accretion at the site are topography, river mouth configuration, dune types and the presence of vegetation as well as the seasonal wind regime. A vegetation study, recording species present, cover and abundance of the plants along the surveyed transects, was also conducted to examine the progressive establishment of vegetation. Five plant communities were discerned namely, saltmarsh, pioneer, enriched pioneer, open scrub, closed scrub and scrub-thicket communities. The spatial distribution of these communities coincided with the north-westerly development of the sandbank. A successional trend in community change occurred along a gradient of increasing diversity, complexity and age. Initially, autogenic changes wrought by pioneer species facilitated the recruitment and survival of other species and commenced succession at the study site. Multiple successional pathways were discussed in relation to subsequent species establishment that occurred after facilitation. The amalgamation of ecological data with a social study in the form of public perception surveys allowed for a greater understanding of the present interactions between the ecosystem and the demands placed on it. The area primarily functions as a recreational site that offered numerous beach and water-related activities. A lack of information regarding the ecology and management programmes influenced public perception of the environment and management issues in general. Different management perspectives and the use of the information presented in this study were also discussed.