Mangroves

Oct 30

A mangrove is a shrub and certain trees that grow in dense bushes/forests along tidal coastlines

Types of mangroves
Red Mangrove - Red Bark
White Mangroves - White Bark
Buttonwood
Black Mangrove

*Mangroves are salt-tolerant holophytes

A holophyte is a plant that is salt tolerant*

They are typically found in shallow seawater, they are water-tolerant (hydrophytes)

A hydrophyte is a plant that is water-tolerant

Mangroves only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the Equator because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Mangroves require low-wave action

  • Mangroves have two sets of roots, there are forests, and the only plants in saltwater

  • Mangroves are storekeepers: They protect the land from storms and tsunamis

  • They are capable of filtering pollutants out of the sea

  • They are Habitats of fish and other creatures

  • Fewer lives are lost during natural disasters (cyclones/tsunamis)

  • Climate Control

    • Mangroves release a lot of CO2 when cut down.

Oct 31 - Red Mangroves

Red Mangroves - The red mangroves are the most water-loving mangroves. They grow in water and along the shore.

The roots of the red mangrove are spiderlike in appearance & they are called “prop roots”. The roots stand up, out of the water. The prop roots allow the mangrove to breathe air. The roots of the red mangrove also excrete salt from the seawater, allowing the plant to take in freshwater.

The red mangrove gets its name from the red bark on its root.

The flower of the red mangrove is yellow & bell-shaped

A propagule is the seedling of a red mangrove.

  1. Red Mangrove: Growing along the edge of the shoreline where conditions are harshest, the red mangrove is easily distinguished from the other species by tangled, reddish prop roots. These prop roots originate from the trunk with roots growing downward from the branches.

  2. Black Mangrove: This is characterized by long horizontal roots and root-like projections known as pneumatophores. Can tolerate high salinity.

    It grows at elevations slightly higher than the red mangrove where tidal change exposes the roots to the air. The bark of this mangrove is dark and scaly.

  3. White Mangroves: Occupying higher land the red and black mangroves, the white mangrove has no visible aerial roots, unlike the black and red mangrove with prop roots. White mangroves have an affinity for lower salinity areas.

  4. Buttonwood Mangrove: Often found in the upload transitional zone, the buttonwood is often associated with mangrove communities

    The name Buttonwood comes from the button-like appearance of the dense flower head that grows in branched clusters, forming cone-like fruit.

Red Mangrove

Flower: White, Yellow, Bell Shaped

Location: Along the shore/coastlines

Roots: Prop roots, reddish

Leaves: Broad, oval-shaped dark green

Excretion: Salt is excreted in the roots

Bark: grayish, brownish, reddish, rough scaly

Black Mangrove

Flower: White, pale, yellow to white, tube shape

Location: grows slightly higher in elevation than red mangrove where tide exposes roots (they are in waterlogged areas

Roots: Spiky, verticle roots protrude above waterlogged soil, breathing roots, gray, dark brown

Leaves: Thick, leathery, glossy, dark green, pointed oval shape

Excretion of salt: Salt is excreted in leaves

Bark: Rough, scaly, grayish, dark brown

White Mangrove

Flower: White/ pale yellow/ four-five petals

Location: Beyond black mangroves, less waterlogged & less tidal activity.

Roots: may develop small pneumatophores but it’s not common, they have lateral roots that have a knee like structure and some aerial roots.

Leaves: Oval-shaped/elliptical, smooth leathery, green-yellow color (2-6 inches)(HAVE NECTARIES)

Excretion: excretes salt in the leaves/nectaries
Bark:

Buttonwood Mangrove

Flower: Pale green - yellowish

Location: Areas less frequently submerged by tide, found in low salinity areas, found along the upper reaches of the mangrove forest. Found in muddy, well-drained soil, dry condition area.

Roots: Shallow, lateral roots, pneumatophores, ariel roots

Leaves: Oval shaped, slightly leathery texture, 3-8cm long, pale green - yellowish color, glossy

Excretion - excretes salt in the leaves

Bark: Smooth, light gray- brownish grey scaly patches, relatively thin.

Threats to the mangrove

  • Cut down to build homes & hotels etc

  • Pollution - Oil spills & litter are dumped near forests

  • Tropical storms & Hurricanes

  • Climate Change

Men destroy mangroves through urban development, dredging & filling operations.

Red Mangrove

  • Prop roots

  • Seedlings are called propagules

  • Red Bark

  • Located in water

  • Yellow bell-shaped flower

  • Excretion in roots

Black Mangrove

  • Ariel breathing roots

  • Black bark

  • The roots look like a spike

  • Roots are called pneumatophores

  • Have small white flowers

  • Found in shoreline

  • Excretion in leaves

White Mangrove

  • Scaly white/gray bark

  • Located on the upper shoreline

  • Pnematophores are only present in low-oxygen soil.

  • Purple flowers

  • They excrete in nectary glands

Buttonwood

  • Cone cluster-like flowers

  • Located in terrestrial area

  • Silver leaves with fur

  • Brown Bark