Hydrology

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Palm swamps are commonly associated with the high rainfall of the Wet Tropics region (greater than 3000 mm annual rainfall). They grow in soil that is very poorly drained due to a depressional position in the landscape and/or the almost constant presence of a high water table. The water source for palm swamps is, therefore, the high rainfall and the high water table. Most palm swamps are non-floodplain systems. However, there are some that are associated with coastal lowlands in floodplains; these would also receive water from overbank flow of stream channels.

Water outputs would typically be related to recharge of groundwater systems, evaporation and the flow of water down gullies where topography allows.