Mangroves Flashcards
Characteristics of mangroves
- tropical trees & scrubs which grow in the intertidal zone, sheltered areas
- They grow closely together in shallow, muddy water. They have aerial roots & shiny waxy leaves.
Mangrove swamps
tidal swamps that are dominated by mangroves
adaptations of mangroves are to:
- prevent salt intrusion
- ensure a stable platform
- allow seeds to spread out
- absorb gases from atmosphere and minerals from mud
- reduce evapotranspiration
- breath
prevent salt intrusion
leaves are waxy
waterproof membrane
ensure a stable platform
cable roots are spread out from trunk to ensure a stable platform
allow seeds to spread out
seeds float so that they are able to spread out and float away from parent plant tree and increase chance of survival
absorb gases from atmosphere and minerals from mud
Pneumatophores enable them to absorb gases from atmosphere and minerals from mud when soil is watterlogged with little oxygen
reduce evapotranspiration
they restrict opening of the stomata to reduce evapotranspiration
breath
pneumatophores are roots which stick out of the water like straws for breathing
stilt roots
prop themselves above the water level with stilt roots, so that they can absorb air through pores in their bark called lenticels.
benefits of mangroves
- coastal protection
- breeding ground and nursery
- source of food, medicine and raw materials
- carbon sink
- water filtration
coastal protection
- they help stabilise and protect shorelines
- reduce devastating impact of natural disasters such as tsunamis & tropical storms
breeding ground and nursery
they are a breeding ground & nursery for a wide range of marine & fish species, such as crabs, fish, oysters & other invertebrates & wildlife such as birds & reptiles
source of food, medicine and raw materials
they provide food, medicine, fuel & building materials for local communities
carbon sink
mangrove trees store CO2
