mangrove swamps Flashcards
define mangrove swamps
Blanket term used to describe tropical communities dominated by trees and shrubs that can grow in salt water or very salty soils
what was reported in walsh 1974
sixty to seventy five percent of the coastline in tropical regions is lined with mangroves
what are the four types of mangroves
white red black buttonwood
where do mangroves grow
on shores with little wave action
what are mangroves often associated with
leeward side of islands
what does lack of high water movement mean
fine sediments settle out forming a muddy bottom which tend to be anoxic - lacking oxygen
what is the scientific name for red mangrove
rhizophora mangle
what zonation is the red mangrove in
Usually most seaward mangrove tree in bahamas and caribbean
how does the red mangrove stabilise itself
Has numerous pop roots that extend from the trunk and help to stabilize the tree in the shifting mud substrate in which it grows
how do the seeds germinate
germinate while still attached to the tree forming arrow shaped seedlings which grow to 25 to 30 cm in length before they detach from the parent plant
Seedlings float in the water with which rooting end down until they reach water of a suitable depth to allow them to take root
what is the scientific name for black mangroves
avicennia germinans
where does the black mangrove dominate
the next landward zone
what does the area of the black mangrove receive
high tide water and can remain flooded for long periods of time leading to a highly saline anoxic mud substrate
what is the black mangrove distinguished by
pneumatophores vertical roots that extend above the water from the main horizontal root network
Allow oxygen to diffuse into the roots of the plant so compensating for the lack of oxygen in the mud
what is the scientific name for white mangrove
laguncularia racemosa
what is the scientific name for buttonwood
conocarpus erecta
what is the difference between white mangrove
White being slightly more slat tolerant than buttonwood
what kind of water is found with white and buttonwood mangroves
High tide waters only occasionally reach these trees
However environment still very salty due to salt spray
what kind of leaves do white mangrove trees have
fleshy waxy leaves which help retain water
what do both the white and buttonwood mangroves have on leaf stalks or petioles
Both have two salt glands which Actively secrete salt which would otherwise upset the plants osmotic balance
where does buttonwood get its name from
hard leathery button like seeds it produces
list 5 benefits
highly productive detrital ecosystem
Means most organisms do not feed directly on plants themselves leaves fragmented and acted on by decomposing bacteria so producing a rich food source
This concentration of bacteria often gives these mangrove areas a bad smell due to hydrogen sulfide bacteria give off during their anaerobic respirations
Act as land reclaimer stabiliser
Sediment in slow moving water is trapped by the prop roots of the red mangrove and held in p so forming new land
Also help to protect the shoreline from excessive wave action
Major wildlife habitat
Serve as nursery grounds for many commercially important species and crustacea as well as being a rich feeding area for wading birds fish and invertebrates such as crabs
list 5 destroyers of mangroves
Destroyed by global warming tropical storms and hurricanes or by silting up of creek entrances that prohibit tidal flow in the area
Have been cleared and land drained for urban development and houses and hotels spring up in their place
Oil spills and tar deposits are particularly damaging to intertidal mangrove environment killing algae and invertebrates that live on the roots and interfering with oxygen supply by blocking respiratory pores in prop roots and pneumatophores
Water temperature becomes warmer and kill animals algae multiply eutrophication
Melting ice caps causes influx of fresh water making swamp water more fresh animals and planets cannot tolerate these changes
Garbage and acid rain
