Jocks Lagoon is an freshwater coastal lagoon in north-eastern
Tasmania
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, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
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Australia. In 1982 it was designated a wetland of international importance under the
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar site, Ramsar sites (wetlands). It is also known as the Convention on W ...
.
Description
The lagoon is located approximately south-east of the town of
St Helens. It lies partly on private land and partly at the southern end of the St Helens Point
conservation area. One of a chain of wetlands along St Helens Point, it is inland from the coast, near a
dunefield. About long and wide, it is
dystrophic, with
tannin
Tannins (or tannoids) are a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to and precipitate proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids.
The term ''tannin'' (from Anglo-Norman ''tanner'' ...
-stained, low-nutrient, acidic waters. Water levels fluctuate with rainfall and reach a depth of .
Vegetation
While the northern half of the lagoon is mainly open water, the southern half is mostly covered with emergent
rushes and
sedge
The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus '' Carex'' ...
s. Threatened plants recorded from the site, or suspected to be present, include
jointed twigsedge,
slender twigsedge,
zigzag bogsedge,
yellow onion orchid and
erect marshflower.
A total of 51
vascular plant
Vascular plants (), also called tracheophytes () or collectively Tracheophyta (), form a large group of land plants ( accepted known species) that have lignified tissues (the xylem) for conducting water and minerals throughout the plant. They ...
species were recorded from the lagoon by a recent study. Of that total, half were species that grow in swamps or damp areas; vegetation common to dry areas, coastal woodland and
Melaleuca forest made up the remainder of the list. The lagoon's aquatic flora is equally rich. Several rare species occur there.
[
]
Ramsar criteria
Although Jocks Lagoon is listed as a Ramsar Site, it does not meet all four criteria that determine a site as a Ramsar Site. The lagoon does not meet criterion four, which states that a Ramsar Site is one that "supports species at critical stages or provides refuge in adverse conditions."[
]
See also
* List of Ramsar sites in Australia
This is a list of wetlands in Australia that are designated by the Ramsar Convention as sites of international importance. Under the convention, the wetlands are considered as being of significant value not only for the Australian community, b ...
* List of lakes in Tasmania
References
{{coord, 41, 20, 40, S, 148, 18, 30, E, type:landmark_region:AU-TAS, display=title
Ramsar sites in Australia
Lakes of Tasmania
East Coast Tasmania