Geomorphology of reef islands, northern Great Barrier Reef

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During the 1973 Great Barrier Reef Expedition, 67 reef islands were mapped between latitudes 11° 30' S and 17° S on the Great Barrier Reef. During the mapping, the major topographic, lithological, sedimentological and vegetational features of the islands were distinguished, and their elevations relative to a sea level datum established. The islands themselves were categorized in terms of topographic and vegetational complexity. Previous classifications by Steers, Spender, Fairbridge and others are reviewed in the light of these findings. Some of the islands had been previously mapped by Steers in 1928-29 or 1936; on others, changes could be identified from the evidence of shoreline advance or retreat and from vegetation patterns. The floristics and vegetation units of the islands are briefly described, on the basis of the field mapping and a large collection of flowering plants. Vegetation is influenced by stage in island development, latitudinal variation in rainfall, effects of ground-nesting seabirds, and probably also by disturbance by aboriginal man. Development of mangroves on reef flats is related to stage of reef flat and island development, and relation to tidal levels. This study of the geomorphology of the islands raises questions over the nature, origin and history of specific features (ramparts, beach ridges, boulder tracts, exposed limestones) which the Expedition attempted both to define and to answer.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: