Publication Year
2005
Source
Journal of Foraminiferal Research
DOI
Abstract
Contemporary foraminiferal samples and environmental information were collected from three fringing
mangrove environments (Sandfly Creek Transect 1 and 2, and Cocoa Creek) in Cleveland Bay, and an
estuarine mangrove environment (Saunders Creek) in Halifax Bay, on the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR)
coastline, Australia, to elucidate the relationship of the foraminiferal assemblages with the environment. The
data support the vertical zonation concept, which suggests that the distribution of foraminifera in the
intertidal zone is usually a direct function of elevation, with the duration and frequency of subaerial exposure
as the most important factor. An agglutinated foraminiferal assemblage dominated by Miliammina fusca,
Trochammina inflata, Ammotium directum and Haplophragmoides sp. exists at the landward edge of the field
sites, in a zone between just above Mean Low Water of Neap Tides to Highest Astronomical Tide level (a
vertical range of 1.8 m). In addition, a foraminiferal assemblage dominated by Ammonia aoteana is found at all
sites, existing between just below Mean Low Water of Neap Tides and Mean High Water of Neap Tides (a
vertical range of 0.8 m). These assemblages may be used to reconstruct sea level from fossil cores from the
area.
mangrove environments (Sandfly Creek Transect 1 and 2, and Cocoa Creek) in Cleveland Bay, and an
estuarine mangrove environment (Saunders Creek) in Halifax Bay, on the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR)
coastline, Australia, to elucidate the relationship of the foraminiferal assemblages with the environment. The
data support the vertical zonation concept, which suggests that the distribution of foraminifera in the
intertidal zone is usually a direct function of elevation, with the duration and frequency of subaerial exposure
as the most important factor. An agglutinated foraminiferal assemblage dominated by Miliammina fusca,
Trochammina inflata, Ammotium directum and Haplophragmoides sp. exists at the landward edge of the field
sites, in a zone between just above Mean Low Water of Neap Tides to Highest Astronomical Tide level (a
vertical range of 1.8 m). In addition, a foraminiferal assemblage dominated by Ammonia aoteana is found at all
sites, existing between just below Mean Low Water of Neap Tides and Mean High Water of Neap Tides (a
vertical range of 0.8 m). These assemblages may be used to reconstruct sea level from fossil cores from the
area.
Research Track Category