MANGO TIMES 22 of May, 2013 Volume 9, Issue 1
Table of Contents P1 Cover Page
P2 About Mangrove Trees P3 Mangrove Adaptations P4 The Importance of Mangroves
Emily Zhao
P5 Types of Mangroves
3rd Period
P6 Threats & Conservation
Mrs. Durden
P1
MANGROVES ABOUT... Mangrove trees resemble impervious, thick knots. However, they provide for a myriad of benefits to a wide array of organisms.
WHERE... Mangroves forests cover more than 60,000 square miles of land in tropical and subtropical climates around the globe. They thrive in environments where the average annual temperature is above 66째F. These trees are usually found in estuaries that are near the mouths of large rivers exiting the sea.
P2
ADAPTATIONS Mangrove trees have adapted to thrive in the extreme conditions of estuaries. They can survive in waterlogged soil, no oxygen-containing soil, strong currents, and salty waters.
Reproduction…
ROOTS…
Rather than forming seeds
All mangroves have developed
that fall to the soil like most
laterally spreading roots with
plants, mangrove seeds begin
vertical anchor roots. Some
growing while still attached to
have prop or stilt roots that ex-
the parent. These seedlings,
tend from their trunks that act
called propagules, can even
as buffers to strong waters. To
grow roots. After some time,
avoid suffocation in oxygen
they drop and float until they
poor soil, mangrove trees de-
reach water that is shallow
veloped aerial, or air-breathing,
enough for their roots to grow
roots that absorb oxygen di-
in.
rectly from the air.
SALT REMOVAL…
Mangroves live in very salty environments and have adapted numerous methods to remove the excess salt.
filtration in root systems
secreting salt through glands on leaves
bearing thick leaves with a waxy covering to reduce water loss
P3
IMPORTANCE Mangroves play an extremely essential role in the ecology of many ecosystems.
nursery ground & secure home for a vast array of organisms
leaves, wood, & roots are all important food sources
roots act as a natural water filter
help prevent erosion
offer protection from storms, waves, and strong tides
capture carbon
extend coastlines overtime
often the home of many endangered & threatened species
abundant human resources (food, lumber, medicine, etc.)
unique aesthetic appearance
recycle nutrients and maintain crucial balance within ecosystems
REAL WORLD EXAMPLE Along the coast of Australia, near the Great Barrier Reef, are salt marsh mangroves. The Great Barrier Reef and the mangrove trees benefit from one another. The Great Barrier Reef blocks out heavy sea waters and enables mangrove forests to grow along the coasts. In turn, mangrove forests prevent sediments from damaging the precious coral in the Great Barrier Reef. Their roots slow the movement of water and cause the sediment to fall to the bottom of the sea instead of on the coral.
P4
Red Mangrove
TYPES OF MANGROVES
-rich soil. Pneumatophores, lateral branches of their root system, extend up from the submerged roots. They are an adaptation to the salty environment. The leaves of the black mangroves are narrow and dark green. These
White Mangrove
trees can grow up to 60 feet.
areas. They are identified by their unique aerial
roots and red fruits. The roots grow from the trunk and lower branches, an adaptation to saltwater environments. Usually shorter than other types, the red mangrove tree can grow up to 55 feet.
Black Mangrove
Black mangroves usually grow in the most salt
Red mangroves are typically found in flooded
White mangroves have not developed
root systems similar to the other mangrove trees. These mangroves are defined by their thick, oval, and pale green leaves. White mangroves come in a variety of heights, reaching up to 160 feet or more and also growing as shrubs.
P5
THREATS Despite the myriad of benefits mangrove trees provide, their numbers have drastically depleted. Constant deforestation and powerful tropical storms have reduced their habitats by 35% since 1980. Mangrove forests have also fallen to fishing, mining, agriculture, timber, and the development of human settlements.
CONSERVATION Having realized the necessity of mangroves in the overall ecosystem, national and local governments have established restoration and conservation programs. Strict rules on the protection of mangroves have also been enforced in some countries. In addition, private organizations and non-profits have been constituted in advocacy for mangroves. Individuals are finally taking a stand for these precious trees!
Mangrove Action Project P.O. Box 1854, Port Angeles, WA 98362 Phone/Fax: 360-452-5866
Coastal Resources Group, Inc.
Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project
PO Box 5430, Salt Springs, FL 32134-5430
Phone/Fax: 592-220-2843
Phone/Fax: 1-352-546-4842
Email: macsecretariat@gmail.com
P6