Mangroves
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Some mangroves like Grey and River Mangroves exude salt through special glands on their leaves. Salt is expelled and salt crystals form on the leaves. Rain washes the salt deposits from the leaves.
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Some mangroves reproduce from buds which form plantlets while still attached to the parent plant, or from seeds which germinate within the fruit. The seed of mangrove trees are bouyant so they can be carried to other sites once they have been dropped into the water.
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Pneumatophores are spongy vertical root extensions that protrude from the cable roots of mangroves. These specialised structures protrude above the mud bottom. The pneumatophores have tiny pores, called lenticels, that take in air.
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Download the Mangroves handout
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Leaf litter
Mangroves provide habitat spaces in the branches of trees and in leaf litter, and also in the water amongst the intricate root systems.
Many invertebrates use the floor of a mangrove forest for habitat. Examples include molluscs and crabs.
Root systems
When the tides rise, fish move in to find food and shelter.
Mangroves are important nursery grounds for juvenile fish, crustaceans and a variety of other marine life, who shelter amongst the mangrove roots and feed on plankton.
Mangroves provide habitat spaces in the branches of trees and in leaf litter, and also in the water amongst the intricate root systems.
Many invertebrates use the floor of a mangrove forest for habitat. Examples include molluscs and crabs.
Root systems
When the tides rise, fish move in to find food and shelter.
Mangroves are important nursery grounds for juvenile fish, crustaceans and a variety of other marine life, who shelter amongst the mangrove roots and feed on plankton.
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Mangrove Fieldwork - Quadrat sampling
Record information about the location and size of plants, seedlings, pneumatophores, within quadrat squares along a transect, and calculate the percentage coverage. |
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Ecological services
Mangroves serve important ecological services:
- supporting biodiversity
- protection from erosion
- buffering coastlines from extreme weather
- reducing impacts of floods and drought
- absorbing and storing carbon - the most important carbon sinks on Earth.
Mangroves serve important ecological services:
- supporting biodiversity
- protection from erosion
- buffering coastlines from extreme weather
- reducing impacts of floods and drought
- absorbing and storing carbon - the most important carbon sinks on Earth.
Syllabus links:
12 Geography
Ecosystems and Global Biodiversity
Investigation of ecosystems (Mangrove Forests)
Students investigate TWO different types of ecosystems. They undertake a study to illustrate each type of ecosystem selected. At least ONE study is to be selected from outside Australia.
For each study, students investigate:
12 Geography
Ecosystems and Global Biodiversity
Investigation of ecosystems (Mangrove Forests)
Students investigate TWO different types of ecosystems. They undertake a study to illustrate each type of ecosystem selected. At least ONE study is to be selected from outside Australia.
For each study, students investigate:
- The characteristics of the ecosystem, including its spatial pattern and the nature of its biodiversity
- The dynamics of ecosystem functioning, including vulnerability, resilience and ecological disturbance
- Human-induced modifications to the ecosystem
- Responses and strategies, including for maintaining ecosystem functioning and actions for sustainability
- Differences in ecosystem management, compared with at least one other location, due to economic, political and sociocultural factors
- The role of contemporary research and innovation in the sustainable management of the ecosystem
