Young mangroves growing at mouth of Robinson River in Gulf of Carpentaria (Shore FID 7408, NESP TWQ 4.13)

This image showcases young mangroves growing at the mouth of the Robinson River in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The river's sediment plays a crucial role in shaping this landscape. As the river flows towards the bay, it carries with it a significant amount of sediment. This sediment is deposited at the river's mouth, forming banks and expanding into the bay. These sediment banks create an ideal environment for mangroves to thrive.

Mangroves are highly effective at trapping and stabilizing sediment with their intricate root systems. The roots slow down the water flow, causing suspended particles to settle. Over time, this process builds up the sediment, gradually expanding the landmass at the river's mouth. The young mangroves visible in the image are in various stages of growth, indicating a dynamic and continually evolving landscape.

This natural sediment-trapping mechanism is essential for coastal ecosystems as it provides a buffer against erosion, enhances water quality by filtering pollutants, and creates habitats for a wide range of marine and terrestrial species. The expansion of mangroves also contributes to carbon sequestration, making them vital for climate change mitigation efforts.

This image comes from helicopter surveys conducted to monitor status of mangroves along the shoreline. This image collection can also be used to study other features in the littoral and intertidal regions along the coast. For more details and access to the full imagery collection see Gulf of Carpentaria Mangrove Aerial Shoreline Surveys 2017 & 2019 (NESP TWQ 4.13, JCU)

This image has a shore FID of 7408 and was taken in the 2017 survey. Its location can be viewed on this interactive map.