Coasts EQ2 Flashcards
define coastal ecosystems
Coastal ecosystems are areas where land and water join to create an environment with a distinct structure,
diversity, and flow of energy.
what exactlya re include in coastal ecosystems?
coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands, estuaries, and bays and are
home to many different types of plants and animals.
what are ecosystem benefits?
Ecosystem services are benefits people obtain from ecosystems.
what are the 4 ecosystem services classification headers?
provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services.
provisioning services
[5 sub points]
- Seafood: Fish, seafood, and algae for food and income.
- Energy: Wave and tidal energy can be converted into electrical energy.
- Timber: Timber from mangrove forests for building boats, houses, and wood fuel.
- Food: “Attap chee” from Nipa palm trees for local consumption.
- Ornamental Resources: Seashells and coral pieces for decoration.
Regulating services
[3 main points]
- Shoreline Stabilization: Coral reefs and mangroves help reduce shoreline erosion and stabilize shorelines.
- Flood Prevention: Mangroves and coastal lagoons reduce the likelihood of coastal flooding by containing substantial amounts of water.
- Storm Protection: Mangroves absorb wave energy better than open coastlines, protecting coasts from storms and natural hazards.
cultural services
- Recreation: Sea sports, beach activities, and eco-tourism.
- Inspiration: Coasts inspire art, folklore, and architecture.
- Tourism: Scenic coasts attract tourists.
Supporting Services
Coastal ecosystems support diverse habitats like mangroves, coral reefs, and beaches, which are valuable to both people and wildlife.
Human activities in coastal areas include:
5 points
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Housing and transportation
- Tourism and recreation
- Ports, harbours and piers
- Wind farming
What is a coral reef ecosystem?
- Diverse Ecosystem: Coral reefs are diverse communities of plants, fish, and other organisms.
- Structure: Made up of colonies of coral animals called polyps.
- Symbiosis [mutual benefits]: Polyps provide nutrients and CO₂ to algae; algae provide sugars and O₂ to polyps.
where are coral reefs commonly found?
NIL
how are coral reefs established?
Reefs form as corals build up from a rock base, using their solid limestone skeletons, requiring specific growth factors.
factors coral reefs need to grow?
there are 5
- Temperature: Warm water, 23-25°C.
- Water Depth: Clear, shallow water (≤50 meters).
- Low Turbidity: Minimal sediments for sunlight penetration.
- Salinity: Optimal salinity; low levels inhibit growth.
- Sunlight: Ample sunlight for photosynthesis.
Why cant coral reefs grow in freshwater?
Corals cannot grow in freshwater or areas with high silt and nutrient levels, which can reduce the oxygen available for them.
what are the 2 Environmental value of coral reefs?
- Biodiversity: Coral reefs support over 25% of Earth’s marine fish species.
- Coastal Protection: They absorb wave energy, protecting land from erosion.
what are the 2 Economic value of coral reefs?
- Tourist Attractions: Coral reefs and surrounding areas are popular for diving and tourism.
- Economic Impact: Coral-based jewelry and ornaments are popular souvenirs, boosting the local economy.
what are the 7 pressures on coral reefs?
- Over-collection
- Fishing Methods
- Recreational Use
- Pollution
- Siltation
- Coastal Development
- Climate Change
Give me the activity and impact of over fishing
Activity: Over-collection
Impact: Depletion of fish disrupts the ecosystem’s food chain
Give me the activity and impact of
fishing methods
Activity: Dynamite blasting and use of cyanide
Impact: Coral reef habitat destroyed
Give me the activity and impact of
Recreational use of coasts
[corals]
Activity: Tourism activities in coastal areas
Impact: Waste discharge and boat anchors damage and stress corals
Give me the activity and impact of
pollution [coral]
Activity: Excess fertilizers, pesticides, industrial waste, and sewage
Impact: Turbid water blocks sunlight, preventing photosynthesis; toxic waste kills corals; excess nutrients fuel algae overgrowth
Give me the activity and impact of
siltation
Activity: Sediments from deforestation washed into waters
Impact: Turbid water prevents sunlight and photosynthesis; excess sediments smother corals
Give me the activity and impact of
coastal development Coral and Mangroves
Activity: Coastal area development and increased human activities
Impact: Combined impacts of habitat loss, pollution, and increased stress on ecosystems
Give me the activity and impact of
climate change for coral reefs
Activity: Rapid changes in sea temperatures and sea levels
Impacts:
1. Coral bleaching
2. Increased disease susceptibility
3. Stunted growth
4. Affected reproduction
5. Ecosystem disruption
6. Coral death
What is a mangrove ecosystem?
- Mangroves: Salt-tolerant forests of trees and shrubs
- Productivity: Highly productive and biologically diverse ecosystems
- Biodiversity: Includes plants, fish, crustaceans, and other species living among the tree trunks
where are mangroves commonly found?
NIL
what kind of locations do mangroves grow and what are they adapted for?
Growth Location: Sheltered coasts and estuaries with calm, low-energy waters
Adaptations: Unique characteristics for adapting to tides, saline, and water-logged environments
what are the saline conditions adaptations mangroves have?
There are 4
- Ultrafiltration: Plants like Bruguiera filter salts.
- Salt Exclusion: Some plants filter out most salts during water absorption.
3.Salt Storage: Salt is stored in old leaves, which then fall off.
- Salt Excretion: Species like Avicennia have glands to excrete salt, which is removed by wind or rain.
what are the is yhe water logged soil and tides adaptations mangrives have?
- Horizontal Zonation: Mangrove structure and species vary with environmental conditions.
what are the 7 values of mangroves?
- Stabilizing Shorelines: Roots absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.
- Habitat & Breeding Grounds: Support diverse marine life and fish nurseries.
- Improve Water Quality: Filter sediments and pollutants.
- Source of Wood: Provide fuel and construction material.
- Fodder Crops: Leaves used as livestock feed.
- Carbon Storage: Store significant amounts of carbon.
- Tourism: Support recreational activities like snorkeling.
what are the 5 pressures of mangroves?
- Demand for fuel wood and charcoal
- Need for more farming area
- Land reclamation
- Water pollution
- Rising sea level
what are the activity and impacts for
demand for furl wood and charcoal for mangroves
Activity: Mangroves are cleared for fuel and charcoal.
Impact: Reduces fish breeding grounds and increases coastal vulnerability.
what are the activity and impacts for need for more farming areas
Activity: Mangroves are converted into farmland and shrimp farms.
Impact: Reduces fish breeding grounds and increases coastal vulnerability.
what are the activity and impacts for
land reclamataion mangroves and coral
Activity: Coastal areas are developed for housing and industry.
Impact: Increases coastal vulnerability and causes pollution.
what are the activity and impacts for water polution for mangroves
Activity: Waste, fertilizers, and pesticides are dumped into coastal waters.
Impact: Disrupts mangrove ecosystems.
what are the activity and impacts for rising sea levels
Activity: Rising sea levels and extreme storm activity due to accelerated climate change.
Impact: Mangroves struggle to move inland due to urban development and sea defenses.
Seaward Front [Mangrove horizontal zoning adaptation]
Coastal mangroves use aerial roots for stability and oxygen uptake.
Inland Zone [Mangrove horizontal zoning adaptation]
- Knee roots trap soil
- providing nutrients and habitat
- fewer tidal submersions.
Middle Zone [Mangrove horizontal zoning adaptation]
Dense mangroves with prop roots for height and stability in muddy soil.
Fruit Adaptations [Mangrove horizontal zoning adaptation]
: Buoyant fruits like Avicennia disperse via water, while Rhizophora fruits germinate on the parent tree and anchor in mud.
what conditions do mangroves need to adapt to?
waterlogged conditions, the soil lacks oxygen and plants need to adapt to such muddy and low-oxygen environments.
