Mlalazi Estuarine Floodplain

The site is located 30 km south of Richards Bay on the East Coast of South Africa.
This is a guide to the biota of the Mlalazi floodplain - a study site for the University of Zululand.
The floodplain extends from the sea to the limits of tidal influence (about 15 km) with a maximum width of about 4 km. The boundary of the floodplain is 5 to 10 m above mean sea level. Flooding patterns determine the zones in an estuarine floodplain. Flooding types include: river floods; storm-surges and tidal flooding from the sea; and back-flooding when the mouth closes.

To find a species, first use the Taxonomy section. Then search based on Floodplain zones, Habitat and/or Growth form. The categories in each of these are:

Floodplain zones:
(1) subtidal; (2) intertidal; (3) supratidal (flooded by extreme sea and tide conditions); (4) low to mid floodplain (flooded frequently by river flooding or back-flooding after mouth closure); (5) upper floodplain (the interface between floodplain and beyond - flooded only by mega-floods); (6) freshwater seeps or streams that traverse the floodplain; and (7) riparian levees or mounds.

Plant growth forms:
(1) trees and shrubs; (2) tall reeds or sedges; (3) grass or low sedges; (4) forbs/soft shrubs; (5) annuals; (6) vines/creepers; and (7) submerged plants.

Main habitats:
(1) submerged; (2) mangrove; (3) salt marsh; (4) mud flat;
(5) saline lawn; (6) sedge swamp; (7) swamp forest; (8) riparian levees; (9) reedbeds; and (10) estuary margin. less ↑