Transcript Mangrove Swamps

Mangrove
Swamps
Aquatic Biology and the
Environment
2001
Contents
What is a Mangrove Swamp?
Physiology
Coping with Salt.
Ickle Baby Mangrove Trees.
Where are they found?
Inhabitants.
Threats to Mangrove Swamps
Why Bother to Save Mangrove Swamps?
Benefits of Mangrove Swamps.
Future.
Further Reading and Web-sites to Visit
What is a Mangrove Swamp?
A
collection of specialist
shrubs and trees that grow
along coastal areas and
estuaries in tropical and
subtropical regions.
Mangrove Physiology
 Over
50 species of
Mangrove
 Grow up to 40 ft (12
m) high.
 Up to 1,500 ft
(457m) in
circumference.
 Roots take in air
through pores at low
tide.
Coping with salt
 Mangroves
grow better in freshwater
but are out-competed by better adapted
plants.
 Salt
is dealt with by:-
blocking its absorption at the roots; or
Excreting it through the leaves; or
depositing in old leaves that will be shed
soon.
Ickle Baby Mangroves
Seeds start sprouting on
the tree.
 Green shoots allow the
seedling to photosynthesize
and survive at sea for
several months.

 When
the seedling floats
into brackish water the
decreased buoyancy
floats the seedling
vertically and it sticks in
the soft sediment.
Where are they found?
(Mangrove Swamps marked in Red)
Inhabitants
Blue Crabs
Ibis
More Inhabitants
Fiddler Crab
Soldier Crabs
Yet More Inhabitants
 Mudskippers
 Commonly
found in
Mangrove Swamps.
 Absorb oxygen
through their skin,
but particularly their
tail.
 Live in water-filled
burrows.
Threats
Human:
High Population Density
Encroaching Development
Pollution from Agriculture
Encroachment of Agriculture
Aquaculture
Natural Threats
Wind and Waves from Hurricanes
Threats from Humans
 Approximately
half of the world’s
mangrove swamps have been cleared,
drained, diked, or filled.
 High population density near the coasts.
At least half the people in the world are
estimated to live within 100 kilometers
of a coast.
Threats from Agriculture
 Nitrogen
pollution increases the
production of phytoplankton, clouding
the water and preventing other plants
from growing.
 Replacement
agriculture.
of Mangrove swamps with
Threats from Aquaculture
Destruction of
Swamps
 Introduction of Exotic
species and
pathogens
 Pollution from
Foodstuffs
(antibiotics, etc)
 Feed for shrimps also
reduces ocean fish
stocks.

Shrimp Farm in Thailand
Why Bother to Save Mangrove
Swamps?
 Mangrove
swamps provide
a unique habitat for:
Birds, Brown Pelicans,
Roseate Spoonbills, Ibis etc.
Mammals, Mantee,
Monkeys, Guenons etc.
Crustacea, Blue Crab,
Fiddler Crab, etc.
Fish, Red Snapper, Archer
Fish, Puffer Fish, Sea
Catfish, etc.
Benefits of Mangrove Swamps
 Provide
a breeding
habitat
 Provide protection
for maturing young
 Trap and cycle
nutrients providing
nutrients for the
diverse organisms.
 Mudflat of a Mangrove Swamp
More Benefits to Mangrove
Swamps
 Roots
of Mangrove trees filter and assimilate
pollutants
 Prop
roots stabilize substrate.
 Protect
waves.
coast from erosion from wind and
The Future
 Replenishment
programs are now
being
implemented.
 Sustainable
aquaculture is
being sought.
 Pollution is being
controlled.
Further Reading

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http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov
http://www.enn.com (Environmental News Network)
Comptons Reference Encyclopedia, 1996, The
Learning Company
http://www.habitatmedia.org
Naylor, Rosamond et al. Effect of Aquaculture on
World Fish Supplies, Nature, 405, 1017-1024, June
2000
http://www.aquaria.se/emang.html
http://www.bio.ilstu.edu/armstrong/bigtree/mangrov
es/mangrove.htm
http://www.bio.ilstu.edu/armstrong/bigtree/mangrov
es.htm