1010044
Mangrove Ecosystems
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- SEAWARD FRONT(Coastal Zone) - subject to regular
strong effects of tides & sediment changes. MAINTAIN
STABILITY - Pencil roots, Sonneratia, Avicennia
- 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
- 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
- STABILISING SHORELINES - Dense network of roots
absorb wave energy, slowing down flow of water. Sediments built up.
- 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
- DEMAND FOR FUEL WOOD & CHARCOAL - Reduces fish breeding
grounds. Coasts become more open to storm waves EG: Indonesia
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