Coastal Ecosystems Flashcards
Coastal Ecosystems
- Coral Reefs
- Mangroves
- Sand Dunes
- Salt Marshes
Coral Reefs
Global Distribution: found from 30 degrees N to 30 degrees S latitude, in warm, shallow waters as it has a symbiotic relationship with algae, found in the Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans
Characteristics: produces fluorescent pigment to attract animals, large branching structures and grooves and ridges increase surface area for sunlight absorption, has thin layers of calcium carbonate
Management: super corals, coral restoration (St Vincent)
Threats: coral bleaching, ocean temperature rise, extreme weather events
Mangroves
Global Distribution: America, between 30 degrees N and S, South and South-East Asia
Characteristics: 14.8mil, tough as they live in muddy, waterlogged soil that is slightly saline, has thick waxy cuticle in case of flooding, fish, shrimp and crab and common biotic factors to the environment
Management: decrease urbanisation, manage tourism, less deforestation
Threats: chemicals, pollution (run-offs), mangrove charcoal, aqua culture, tourism
Coastal Sand Dunes
Global Distribution: all around, loose and mobile
Characteristics: formed by aeolian transport (wind), 10-30m
Management: fencing, dune thatching
Threats: sea defence, recreation, sea buckthorn, afforestation
Salt Marshes
Global Distribution: low-lying, near mangroves, sheltered coastlines (eg. estuary), all around
Characteristics: abiotic factors are salinity, soil and tidal influence, biotic factors are vegetation and animals, absorb wave energy, acting as a natural barrier, form naturally as sediment accumulates
Management: avoid disturbance (eg. tourism), managed retreat
Threats: invasive species, coastal development, pollution
Sea level rise affected areas
Most concentrated in specific areas: South-East Asia (India, China, Indonesia)
Most scattered areas at risk: Europe (many low-lying areas in the Mediterranean, eg. Spain, Portugal, Italy)
Famous coastal cities
- Mumbai
- London
- Bejing
Maldives Sea Level Rise
At its highest, the Maldives is only 2.4 metres above sea level, with 80% of islands at only 1 metre above sea level.
Sea level rise affects
- Agriculture - plants do not thrive in saline conditions
- Drinking Water - groundwater is contaminated with salt water
Effects of sea level rise on the Maldives
- food loss —> economic loss, soil salinisation, loss of cultural diversity, loss of traditional dishes based on local crops, ocean absorbs heat, forced fish to migrate to cooler waters and corals die, leading to food scarcity
- forced migration
- potential financial insecurity
- health risk - waterborne diseases
- more violent storms - increased floods
- loss of biodiversity - erosion of mangroves + wetlands
- lack of tourism —> economic factor
