Mangrove Wetlands

Vocabulary:

Mangroves: are wetland ecosystems found in The Bahamas

Halophytes: salt tolerant

Detritus: fallen leaves

Anoxic: oxygen deficient

Mangrove Wetlands are found:

  • Inland in low-lying areas

  • fresh or brackish water lakes

  • ponds

  • along coastal areas

Where along coast:

  • shallow seawater

  • low wave energy

  • leeward

Why do mangrove swamps smell like rotten eggs

Mangrove mud is anoxic. Decomposition occurs by anaerobic bacteria which produces hydrogen sulfide gas.

Importance of Wetlands

  • Flood control: reduces flooding

  • Coastal production: break waves helping to reduce inland flooding and erosion

  • Water supply: replenishes groundwater supply

  • Nursery: help protect juveniles

  • Habitat: promotes biodiversity

  • Climate control: wetland plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis

Mangrove Plants

There are 4 types:

  • red mangrove

  • black mangrove

  • white mangrove

  • buttonwood

Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)

  • The most water loving

  • Grow along the shore

Parts of Red Mangrove (Adaptions)

Prop roots: The extend from the trunk and branches, to stabilize the tree in the soft mud

Lenticels: Breathing pores that provide air to the root system

Thick waxy cuticle: conserves water as it reduces transpiration rate

Descriptions of the red mangrove

  • Leaves are large with pointed tips

  • Flowers with four white pointed petals

  • Propagule fruit

Black Mangrove (Avicenna germinans)

  • Grows on the shoreline

  • Landward of the red mangrove

  • Have very dark ‘blackish bark’

  • Most salt tolerant

Parts of Black Mangrove (Adaptions)

  • Special roots pneumatophores: vertical breathing roots with lenticels

  • Salt excretion: excrete salt through salt glands

Descriptions of the Black mangrove

  • Pale green, pointed leaves

  • Small white flowers have 4 petals

  • Produce green teardrop-shaped fruit

White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)

  • Grow further inland

  • Tends to be less salt tolerant

Parts of White Mangrove (Adaptions)

  • Sometimes have pneumatophores

Descriptions of the White mangrove

  • Leaves have rounded tips

  • Sugar glands

Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)

  • Not true mangroves

  • Do not have special root adaptations

Parts of Buttonwood(Adaptions)

  • Leaves may be green or silver

  • Button-shaped fruit

  • Flowers in puffball clusters

Mangrove Zonation

  • Red mangrove: closest to the water

  • Black mangrove: muddy

  • White mangrove: marshy

  • Buttonwood: dry terrestrial