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Fish
100
An area that provides food, air,water,shelter and space is called
What is Habitat? Mangrove forests excel in biodiversity, providing habitat to plant and animal organisms ranging from microscopic organisms, and crustaceans to mammals and birds, and historically, humans from nursery to old age.
100
The number of tons of leaves dropped by an acre of Mangroves each year.
What is 3.6? The significance of this will become clear as you answer the rest of the questions in this column.
100
How Mangrove Forests help preserve the Florida coastline
What is they serve as a buffer against hurricanes and strong winds. Also, Mangrove roots collect sediments and slow the water's flow, helping to protect the coastline and preventing erosion.
100
Known as the "cradle of the ocean", more than 70% of Florida's recreationally and commercially important fishes, crustaceans and shellfish spend part of their lives here.
What is an Estuary.
200
Making a comeback from shrimp farms to Mangrove forests is called
What is Mangrove restoration? After the Asian tsunami farmers were paid to replace shrimp farms with mangrove trees providing needed income while protecting villages from devastating effects of storm surge from future catastrophic events.
200
The term for dead and decaying plant and animal matter
What is detritus?
200
How Mangroves support the fishing industry
What is Mangroves provide a safe haven and a nursery for a variety of fish,crustaceans, and shellfish, as well as birds. Serve as critical habitats for 75 to 90% of our Florida seafood. The estuaries are "nurseries of the sea".
200
This popular sportfish displays a distinct lateral line which enables it to detect both movement and vibration in the surrounding water.
What is a snook. Snook is a prized game fish, being known for it's great fighting capabilities
300
A sweetness gifted by nature.
What is Honey? Many native Floridians remember bee hives dotting the Mangrove swamps and today Mangrove honey is still a favorite. some people believe eating honey helps alleviate allergy symptoms.
300
A bivalve that attaches to the roots of Mangroves
What is an oyster? Bivalves, including oysters, are effective filter feeders and can have large effects on the water columns in which they occur. As filter feeders, oysters remove plankton and organic particles from the water. Multiple studies have shown individual oysters are capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day, and thus oyster reefs can significantly improve water quality and clarity. Oysters consume nitrogen-containing compounds (nitrates and ammonia), phosphates, plankton, detritus, bacteria, and dissolved organic matter, removing them from the water.
300
How do Mangrove Forests improve air quality?
What is carbon sequestration? Carbon sequestration is the process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Mangrove forests are "carbon factories".
300
This member of the shark family may be found throughout the state and known both for it's "attitude" and ability to inhabit an almost entirely fresh water environment.
What is the Bull shark. The kidneys of the bull shark can be gradually adjusted to suit the salinity of the water they are in.
400
First people to recognize the value of the Mangroves
What is Calusas? The Calusas proliferated along the Florida coast over 10,000 years ago. When they were discovered, they were bogger and taller than the Europeans due to a varied diet rich in protein and vitamins. The children were protected from storms and treated for ailments with potions made from Mangrove leaves and tree bark. Mangrove vines aided in fishing due to stunning properties of the leaves and also could be used for toothache and other ailments.
400
A bird at the top level of the Mangrove food chain
What are wading birds, such as egrets or ospreys. They feed on the fish is the community, who take shelter in the roots of the mangrove trees.
400
How Mangroves help prevent global warming
What is the carbon sequestration capacity of mangrove habitats may be a vital component in global efforts to mitigate climate change. They absorb carbon dioxide, taking carbon out of circulation and reducing the amount of greenhouse gas.
400
This prized gamefish can live in excess of 80 years and grow to well over 250lbs.
What is the tarpon. The tarpon has a modified swim bladder which enables the fish to gulp air directly from the surface increasing its ability to tolerate oxygen-poor waters
500
A Mangrove forest mutualistic relationship that keeps on growing
What is oysters and Mangrove propagules. Oysters provide substrate for floating propagules which eventually mature forming small islands. In turn oysters attach to prop roots. As detritus is formed by leaf rot the process continues forming larger and larger islands. The beauty of this relationship is that it takes place without the assistance of human beings. All we need to do is leave it alone!
500
A primary consumer in the Mangrove forest-
What is worms, protozoa, barnacles, oysters? A wide diversity of animals is found in mangrove swamps. Since these estuarine swamps are constantly replenished with nutrients transported by fresh water runoff from the land and flushed by the ebb and flow of the tides, they support a bursting population of bacteria and other decomposers and filter feeders. These ecosystems sustain billions of worms, protozoa, barnacles, oysters, and other invertebrates. These organisms in turn feed fish and shrimp, which support wading birds, pelicans, and the endangered Crocodile.
500
The number one threat to Florida's Mangrove forests
What is land development. Deforestation and disruption to the water flow through Mangroves forests
500
This small resident of the tidal flats and mangrove roots is a favorite meal of wading birds.
What is the Killifish. The killifish tolerates a wide range of salinity and oxygen levels.