Y2 Geography: Mangrove Forests

What are the 3 sections of a mangrove forest (from sea to land)

Coastal zone

Middle zone

Inland zone

Which areas do mangrove forests grow in?

Grow in intertidal regions (a region that is submerged in saltwater in high tides and exposed to the air in low tides) in coastal areas

Can only be found in tropical, sub-tropical, and warm temperate climates as not adapted to colder temperatures

What are the characteristics o the soil and water near mangroves?

Soil

• soft and low in oxygen

• Rich in organic nutrients

• Waterlogged

Water

• high salt content

Name the three main type of roots found in mangroves

Stilt/prop roots

Pneumaophores

Buttress roots

What is the adadptation/function of a stilt/prop root?

• prop up the plant to make it more stable

• Prevent the transport system from bing submerged during high tides

• Allows plant to take in oxygen through the roots during low tide when it is exposed to air

What is the function/adaptation of a pneumatophore?

• specialised, conical-like vertical root structures

• Stick out of the soil and enable the mangrove roots to take in oxygen from the atmosphere

What is the function/adaptation of a buttress root?

• roots that cling to the soil but does not go deep

• It is mainly found on the soil surface

What do propagules do?

They are the seeds of the mangrove plant. They germinate and start to grow while still attached to the parent plant, then fall off, float away and grow somewhere else along the coast.

How do some mangrove species extrude salt?

• pump it out through glands on its leaves

• Transfer all the salt to one leaf and the leaf with all that salt becomes yellow and drops off

List 2 non-root adaptations mangrove plants have.

• Mangrove plants are VIVIPAROUS they have propagules (seeds) that germinate on the parent plant

• Mangrove plants extrude salt through their leaves

What are 5 benefits of mangroves for animals?

Breeding and feeding ground for a range of animals (fish, crabs, birds, some mammals)

Dense root systems protect crabs, fish, and acts as a nursery for animals

Crowns serve as roots for birds

Tree trunks are a home for some animals

Leaves that fall into water provide food for decomposers

What are 2 human benefits (both provisioning and ecosystem services) of the mangrove plants?

Ecosystem services

Protect the coastline from erosion from waves, storm surges, tsunamis, rising sea levels

Provisioning services

provides food for us (e.g. Nipah Palm)