Coastal Vegetation Flashcards
Plants close to the seashore are affected by _______ & ________.
saltsprays & strong winds
Name one plant found close to the seashore?
sea grape
What is the word used to describe plants which grow well in very salt conditions?
halophyte
What ,kind of plants are found close to the sea
halophytic plants
Give the names of 3 swamps
Caroni Swamp, Nariova Swamp & Oropouche Lagoon
In what type of areas are mangrove forests found?
areas which from time to time are covered with salt/brackish water (partly salt & partly fresh water)
What is the role of the roots of the mangrove tree?
it traps mud washed down by rivers.
What are the species of Mangrove found in the Caribbean?
red mangrove
black mangrove
white mangrove
Describe the red mangrove
it has long still roots that stick up out of the water, the roots are submerged at high tide.
Describe the black mangrove
it sends out a large number of finger-like root which up through the mud.
Give an example of a fresh water swamp in Jamaica
Great Morasses
Where is the fresh water swamp in Jamaica found?
in the eastern and western ends of Jamaica and in parts of the drainage basin in Black River
Another name for mangrove wetlands is?
swamp
Define mangrove wetlands
a coastal ecosystem found in tropical an subtropical regions
what does halophyte mean?
salt loving
What is an estuary?
a coastal water body where freshwater from rivers or streams meets with salt water from oceans or seas
what kind of vegetation is observed in a mangrove forest
woody vegetation
Which type of mangrove is found closest to the sea
red mangrove
which type of mangrove obtains water from the ocean through a process called ‘reverse osmosis’?
red mangrove
Name two ways in which the red mangrove copes with high levels of salt
1) it obtains water from the ocean through reverse osmosis
2) its long arching aerial woody roots help anchor the plant in the soft muddy sediment
how does the red mangrove obtain oxygen?
through the roots
Give one function of the roots of the red mangrove other than obtaining oxygen
stabilizing the coastal environment by trapping sediment
Outline the differences in the way that Red Mangroves cope with salty conditions vs how Black & White Mangroves cope
The red mangrove copes by obtaining water from the ocean through reverse osmosis and obtain oxygen through the roots.
The Black & White Mangroves are found further inland so they cope by excreting excess salt unto their leaves and oxygen is transferred directly to the roots.
What are the importances of mangrove wetlands?
Coastal Protection- the dense tangle of mangrove roots help to trap sediment. If the mangroves are removed, the muddy sediment washes away leaving the coastline unprotected
Ecological(biodiversity) importance- mangrove swamps provide habitats for many species and fish which benefit from the calm and shelter
Stabilize the Coast- the above ground roots help to slow the flow of water, causing the deposition of sediment which would otherwise be carried into the sea. Their roots help to bind the soil, preventing erosion
Remove excess nutrients and pollutants - mangroves remove nutrients like phosphates and nitrates from the water before it enters the sea. They also have the ability to remove pollutants such as various heavy metals from the water.
Help Fight Climate Change- mangrove forests help combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They are also able to store carbon in the soil.
