A STUDENT who did her honours thesis on the salt marshes and mangroves of Towra Point was helped by winning the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre's scholarship.
Bess Murphy's thesis examined seed banks of mangrove, salt marsh swamp and forest communities in the southern coast of NSW, including Towra Point Nature Reserve.
The University of Wollongong student said Towra Point played an essential role in Sydney's ecological system.
"Salt marsh is an endangered ecological community and Towra Point is special, as 60 per cent of all salt marsh in Sydney is in that spot," she said.
"And 40 per cent of mangrove in the Sydney region is also there."
Salt marsh, an intertidal plant community, is made up of different species of low, dense shrubs, and along with mangroves helps filtration, provides habitats for a range of endangered species, and acts as a nursery area for commercial fish.
"It is pretty amazing stuff," she said.
The $2500 scholarship allowed Ms Murphy to focus on her important work and complete her studies.
"I was working three jobs and it was so stressful — this enabled me to focus on the thesis without the stress of having to work.
"It has just been fantastic."
Ms Murphy will present her findings at the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre's annual meeting at 6.30pm on September 18 at Sutherland Entertainment Centre.
Do you think there should be more research into environmental aspects of Towra Point?
