The printed metal sign next to the track out to the point of Coon Island has photos of various plants, and the following information:
"Coon Island is located at the mouth of Lake Macquarie on Swansea Channel. The most noticeable feature is its low, flat profile. Everywhere you look, there are wetlands where the tides come and go. transforming the island from wet to dry and back again.
"Wetlands work hard for the people and wildlife of Lake Macquarie. They are the kidneys of the lake, filtering out sediments and pollutants, keeping the lake water crystal clear. Wetlands provide important feeding, spawning and nursery sites for commercial and recreational fish species.
"There are three wetland habitats on Coon Island: Saltmarsh, Mangroves, and Swamp-oak Forest.
MANGROVES
"Mangroves are found on the front-line along the shore of estuaries and are flooded by saltwater twice a day with the tides. They help to maintain water quality by filtering silt from runoff and recycling nutrients. They play a vital role protecting foreshores from storm surges, wind and waves.
"Mangroves provide important habitats for fish, crabs, birds and other animals. Mangrove trees provide large amounts of organic matter, which is eaten by many small aquatic animals. In turn, these animals provide food for larger fish and other animals.
"The mangrove on Coon Island is the Grey Mangrove, (Avicennia marina). Mangroves survive in sea water by excreting salt through their leaves. Lick a leaf and you can taste it! The aerial roots look like witches fingers sticking up out of the sand. They help with gas exchange.
SALTMARSH
"Saltmarsh is found at the upper limit of the intertidal zone. Saltmarsh vegetation is a low-growing mosaic of salt-tolerant succulents, grasses and sedges. The main plant species are Sarcocornia quinqueflora (samphire), Sporobolus virginicus (saltwater couch) and Juncus krausii (rushes).
"When saltmarsh is flooded by seawater during high tides, fish such as bream and mullet move in for food and shelter. Some fish deposit their eggs in saltmarsh vegetation. Crabs, abundant in Saltmarsh, are prized food for bream and other fish species. Saltmarshes capture and filter sediments and nutrients from nearby urban areas, helping keep the lake clean for swimming and boating.
SWAMP OAK FOREST
"Beyond the tidal zone lies the Swamp Oak Forest. This forest is home to many kinds of bush birds and birds of prey. The trees are Swamp Oak ( Casuarina glauca) and Broad-leafed paperback (Melaleuca quinquenerva). Casuarinas make a lovely sound when the wind sweeps through the canopy
"Broad-leafed paperbark had a multitude of uses for the Awabakai people and early settlers. the leaves make an excellent tea and can be crushed and sniffed to alleviate cold symptoms. The flowers can be steeped in water to make sweet nectar cordial."
Visited: 1508, Saturday, 15 July, 2017