Rapid Creek Environment Study 2005

Plant Communities

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The paperbark habitat runs along Amy Johnson Drive, Marrara. Click here to see our maps.  The Broad-leaved Paperbark is the most common plant, also there is Spiralis Pandanas, Black Wattle, Fern-leaved Grevillea, Lophostemon tree and the Cajaputti paperbark.

- Grasslands -

Grasslands are also close to Amy Johnson Drive. This habitat is dominated by the native speargrass, the herbs Leptocarpus and Xyris and a few Salmon Gum trees.

- Eucalypt Woodland -

Located north-east of Yankee Pool and along Amy Johnson Drive. Many larger trees were destroyed during Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974. So a lot of the woodland species have only been growing since Cyclone Tracy.

In the over-storey the species are Stringybark Gum tree and Woollybutt Gum tree. In the mid-story are Billy Goat Plum, Spiral Pandanus, Sand Palm and Green Plum. The Under-storey is made up of speargrass.

This habitat is East of Yankee Pool. Spiral Pandanus is most common, with some Salmon Gum trees.

These areas are upstream from McMillans Road (east of the creek) and near the airport bridge. They range from open woodland to dense open forest. The plant species include the shady tree Lophostemon, Polycarpa gum tree, Spiral Pandanus and the beautiful Milkwood tree.

- Monsoon Forests -

This habitat can be seen from Kimmorley Bridge, McMillans Road to the airport bridge and from airport bridge to Yankee Pool. The Monsoon Forest is a small area of rainforest near a freshwater spring. The plant species are Black wattle, Soap-leaf tree, Freshwater Mangrove tree, Carallia, Euodia, Lophostemon and Syzygium.

- Mangroves -

These habitats are at the mouth of Rapid Creek and along the Water Gardens. The plants range from species that can grow in fresh water flowing from the creek to plants that are salt tolerant down stream towards the mouth. The plants are Club Mangrove, River Mangrove, White Mangrove, Bruguiera, Kapok Mangrove, Diospyros, Blind-your-eye Mangrove, Beach Hibiscus, Lumitzera, Osbornia, Pemphis, Stilt-rooted mangrove, Xylocarpus and the tall Cedar Mangrove tree.

- Coastal Communities -

 These areas are near the mouth of Rapid Creek on Casuarina Beach. The plant species on and around the sand dunes include the ground creeper Beach Morning Glory, Spinifex grass and Vitex shrubs. In the drier areas the native grasses Sporobulus and Cynodon are seen.

 
©Millner Primary School 2005

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