Secrets of the saltmarsh revealed in new book

This Science Week, Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula is celebrating Eyre Peninsula’s most salt-loving plants with the launch of a new book Samphires of the Eyre Peninsula and a series of free guided field trips with author and renowned scientist Peri Coleman.

NREP Education and Volunteer Support Officer Barbara Murphy described samphires as unusual native succulent plants which are often one of the most overlooked and under-appreciated botanical beauties along our coastal, and inland, saltmarshes.

“The field trips at Whyalla, Cowell, Arno Bay, Tumby Bay, Pt Lincoln and Streaky Bay will take in some of the region’s most stunning coastal saltmarsh habitats,” Barbara said.

“They are to highlight the importance of our local coastal saltmarshes and give the community an opportunity to be involved in biological and ecological science.

“This is a rare opportunity to walk alongside the author Peri Coleman as she introduces coastal saltmarsh habitats and the amazing samphire plants living in these harsh environments.

“I encourage anyone interested in attending to book early, because I think it’s going to be popular.

“Peri shares a wealth of knowledge. You’ll be amazed at what you will learn about these remarkable salt-tolerant plants.

“For example, it was soda ash produced from the samphire glassworts that revolutionised early soap and glass making, two inventions that took us out of the dark ages.”

Peri Coleman recently completed a three-week field study covering 2,500km of Eyre Peninsula to research and compile content for the new book.

“Samphire-saltmarsh habitats are a big part of the Eyre Peninsula that provide nursery functions for our fisheries, host endangered butterflies and birds,” Peri said.

“They are unrivalled at sequestering carbon away from the atmosphere, and can assist in protecting shorelines from the effects of sea level rise.”

Field trip participants will each receive one free copy of the new Samphires of the Eyre Peninsula book to take home.

This series of events runs from August 21 to 24 and is sponsored by National Science Week and Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula.

For more information on the program or to register, visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep or call Barb on 0427 188 546.