Jocks Lagoon is an 18-hectare (44-acre) freshwater coastal lagoon in north-eastern Tasmania, Australia. In 1982, it was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.[2]
Description
The lagoon is located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) 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 200 to 300 metres (660 to 980 ft) inland from the coast, near a dunefield. About 650 metres (2,130 ft) long and 150 metres (490 ft) wide, it is dystrophic, with tannin-stained, low-nutrient, and acidic waters. Water levels fluctuate with rainfall and reach a depth of 2 to 3 metres (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in).
A total of 51 vascular plant 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.[3]
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."[3]
