Mangrove Ecosystems

Mangrove Ecosystems

1. Mangrove species are salt-tolerant tropical or subtropical plants which grow in condition that most plants are unable to. They grow in tidal mud on sheltered coasts. Mostly found along low-lying coats & river estuaries with muddy & waterlogged land

2. Distribution

   • LATITUDE - Btw 23.5N & 23.5S. - HEMISPHERE - Btw Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn - CONTINENTS: Central America, Africa - COUNTRIES - Malay Penisula, Borneo New Guinea, Australia.

3. Environmental Conditions Affecting Growth (Adaptation)

   • AERIAL ROOTS - enable mangroves to take in oxygen in waterlogged condition. Some mangroves develop stilt/prop roots to anchor firmly in the soft, muddy ground, ensuring that the trees will not be uprooted. EG: Pencil roots, Sonneratia - Prop/Stilt roots, Rhizophora - Kneed roots, Bruguiera
   • JAVELIN-SHAPED FRUITS - Pierce the soft mud to germinate & grow into a sapling immediately.
   • BUOYANT FRUITS - Float away & germinate in other coastal areas
   • UNDERSIDE OF LEAVES - Secrete excess salt
   • Horizontal Zonation
     • SEAWARD FRONT(Coastal Zone) - subject to regular strong effects of tides & sediment changes. MAINTAIN STABILITY - Pencil roots, Sonneratia, Avicennia
     • MIDDLE ZONE - Mangroves species are more dense & varieties. MAINTAIN - Sedimentation is important for them to maintain greater heights. EG: Prop roots, Rhizophoro
     • INLAND ZONE - Submerged by tides for days MAINTAIN - Kneed roots, Bruguiera to trap soil (nutrients) between their roots.

4. Benefits

   • STABILISING SHORELINES - Dense network of roots absorb wave energy, slowing down flow of water. Sediments built up.
   • PROTECT COASTLINES - Dense network of roots & built-up sediments protect coasts from erosion. EG Indian Ocean mangroves protect from tsunamis
   • BREEDING GROUNDS & HABITAT - Barnacles, oysters & sponges anchor on aerial roots; Shrimps, crabs, lobsters forage for food btw roots, Fish breed nearby
   • FUEL, CONSTRUCTION & CHARCOAL- EG: Indonesia, India, Pakistan cut mangrove leaves to feed sheep, goats, camels
   • IMPROVE WATER QUALITY - Mangrove roots accumulates sediments which purify water

5. PRESSURE

   • DEMAND FOR FUEL WOOD & CHARCOAL - Reduces fish breeding grounds. Coasts become more open to storm waves EG: Indonesia
   • NEED FOR MORE FARMING AREAS (Shrimps farms & Paddy field) - Coasts become more vulnerable EG: Thailand, Vietnam
   • LAND RECLAMATION - Mangrove largely disappear. Coastal waters are polluted from human activities.
   • WATER POLLUTION (Untreated waste from urban areas)- Overwhelm balance of mangrove ecosystem
   • RISING SEA LEVEL - Mangrove have trouble colonising areas further inland. EG: Gulf of Thailand