There are three fundamental factors, which are important to Darwin Harbour. They are (a) the Water; (b) the traditional human environments; (c) the mangroves and (d) why the area of study is important.
3.1 The Water:
3.2 The Traditional Environments:
3.3 The Mangroves:
3.4 The Importance of Darwin Harbour:
The presence of good, quality and flowing water is imperative to any wetland watercourse. The presence of non-polluted reliable, water in Darwin Harbour is essential for human well being. Therefore water is a crucial constituent in the build-up of the Darwin Harbour's construct.
Occupying this space is the organic and the inorganic substances inherent in Darwin Harbour. These are the living biota residing in the various habitats and the non-living objects such as the geological strata and structure of the area.
Mangroves exist on the land/sea interface and are there for a purpose. The trees themselves act as an anti-erosion barrier for the surrounding catchment lands. They also assist in preventing storm surge inundation to low lying areas adjacent to wetland terrain. The trees also act as a shelter and habitat for the many genus and specie of land and sea fauna. Whilst the wetlands in which the mangroves actually grow are nurseries for marine vertebrates and invertebrates. Mangals are an integral part of the ocean and the harbour food chain.
Essentially, Darwin Harbour's importance lies in its relevance as a life support system. If this waterway were suddenly not what it is today, a host of marine life, avilife and land life would not enjoy their present lifestyles. The contemporary ecosystems within the harbour rely on the existence of the traditional structure of the ecology of nature. That is, if one factor were removed all other factors would find it difficult to compensate for the loss of support.
These Pages are supported by Angelfire
This site is best displayed by Netscape.
