The El Ni o event and the Southern Oscillation also affect Queensland's climate. Therefore our coastal waters have relatively low biology productivity. However, mangrove, seagrass and coral communities which are adapted to low-nutrient waters manage to be highly productive. Varying impacts from waves also make a difference. In the north, wave energy is generally low.
Tropical cyclones can bring high wind, higher waves and flood rains in summer.
In southern Queensland, larger waves move onto the unprotected coast so beaches and dunes are far more common. The effect of the different combination of these factors along the coast has produced areas of unique character. The main vegetation is mangrove forest, with some extensive saltmarsh flats. Coral reefs are found around the islands, but the regions are best known for their crocodile and dugong habitats and the Peninsula's wetlands. To the north lies the Torres Strait bioregion, which has extensive shoals, banks and up to 27 species of mangroves.