Improvise, Adapt, Overcome!
Despite its saltwater environment, Mangrove trees survive because of different strategies. Name one!
Salt filtration from the roots, salt excretion from the leaves, storage of salt in the vacuoles
Featuring aerial root systems, this kind of Mangrove tree can be found closest to the water.
Red Mangrove Trees
The Mangrove tree's primary struggle growing close to the ocean, they have adapted to either filter or remove this abiotic factor.
Salinity/Salt
Mangrove forests are found in this latitudinal subdivision of the Earth.
The Tropics
Reef fish are found in Mangrove Forests during their juvenile stages because:
Mangrove Forests provide protection from predators
This Mangrove is in the high-tide zone of the intertidal zone. It also features Pneumatophores and long, horizontal roots.
Black Mangrove Trees
Due to the muddy nature of the soil in Mangrove Forests, this critical resource is often lacking
Oxygen
Due to its warm waters and proximity to the Tropics, 90% of American Mangrove Forests are found in this area of the United States!
Florida/The SouthEast Coast
Mangrove trees have developed many ways to survive in oxygen poor soil. Name 2!
Aerial roots, Pneumatophores, shallow rooting
This Mangrove is found the furthest from the shoreline with NO aerial roots and will occasionally develop peg roots when stressed by lack of oxygen
White Mangrove Trees
In order to grow, Mangrove roots hold the soil in place to protect against this abiotic factor.
Erosion/Wave action
Spanning 10,000 km2, the Sundarbans is the largest Mangrove Forest. It is found in this country.
India
The tides and currents can carry away Mangrove seeds and decrease survival rates! The Mangrove Tree adapts with this reproduction strategy.
Seedlings germinate while still attached to the parent tree
Mangroves are the Primary Producer of this ecosystem but are not commonly consumed! Instead, _____ serves as the primary source of energy in the Mangrove Forest.
Detritus