Essay about Mangroves

Mangroves are halophyte plants that are physiologically amended to survive in habitat containing high concentration of salt in the soil water even though salt is not a physical requirement for growth; hence they are facultative halophytes (Dictionary, 2015). Mangroves at Nudgee Beach have developed three special mechanisms to manage the excess salt levels in their environment due to the disability of enzymes function at high salt concentration. Each species of mangroves are able to either: exclude (prevent salt entering), extrude (take salt out) or accumulate large amounts sodium chloride, enabling them to survive in their ecosystem (University of Sydney, 2015). Some species of mangrove have more than one of the above characteristics. The process

It is predicted that the distribution and the abundance of both the animals and plants of the mangroves ecosystem would differ depending on the locations and the effects of the abiotic factors.

Organisations such as the NICA make sure that the green land is healthy and maintained as well as the Health of the mangroves. Mangroves are a very important part of Lake Doonella as they feed many animals and filter the water so the it's clear and clean for the animals living there. (Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, n.d)

Mangrove Forest is another type of ecosystem in South Texas. Mangrove Forests are found along the coast in salty waters and the general abiotic conditions are high salinity flooded soils, low wave energy, high temperatures, and muddy soils. Black Mangrove and Buttonwood are the dominant plant species in South Texas Mangrove Forest ecosystem. Buttonwood is adapted to this ecosystem because it resides inland where there is less salty conditions. Black Mangrove is adapted to sandy salty clay soil and requires protection from wave action and they are sensitive to cold weather. Some common animal species that live in Mangrove Forests are many species of fish, crabs, mollusks, and birds. Mangrove forests provide a habitat, shelter, and nursery to these species that reside in this ecosystem. Mangrove forest serve as a coastal protection from severe storms and hurricanes also help remove pollutants and erosion. The economic importance of Mangrove forest is that they support fisheries, water purification, tourism, and coastal protection. Human activities pose a threat to Mangrove Forests because of the removal of some mangroves, boat waves, oil spills, dredging, draining, and diking.

The lower shore, or low tide zone, is mostly submerged underwater. The most noticeable difference of this sub-region is the large diversity of different types of seaweeds. Organisms found in this zone are generally less adapted to periods of dryness. The creatures are generally the largest and most complex organisms on the shore as there are more sources of food as marine vegetation flourishes.

Humans in there quest to be innovative and to improve their lot, have engaged in activities that have altered the normal flow of the ocean, and largely have altered the coast itself. Some of their activities have destroyed forever the landscape and have inflicted un-repairable damage to it. One way in which humans have impacted the coastal landscape is by destroying mangroves and wet lands for development purposes. In Nassau, Bahamas, this activity is glaring. Bulldozers are used to push down mangroves and to “fill” in wet lands in order to erect gated communities and at times touristic enterprises. This action invariably alters forever the coastal landscape and destroys the absorption and stabilizing capabilities of the coast

Zonation is the distribution of animals and plants into specific zones according to abiotic factors and characterised by its dominant species [15]. Mangrove zonation is the distinguishable categorisation of a mangrove ecosystem that extends from shore to inland regions. Definitive spatial variation of mangrove species has been recognised amongst different ecosystems worldwide and is accredited as being influenced by abiotic and environmental factors [16]. In Eastern Australia, the majority of mangrove forests may be divided into landward, middle and seaward zones, based off of their placement in relation to tidal position. The following points represent the typical physiognomies characterised by mangroves in their corresponding zones:

* The efforts of “Terrigal Lagoon Bushcare” have been largely successful in keeping the lagoons around Terrigal ecosystems. Their actions have helped the native plants compete with the introduced species.

Mangroves are trees and shrubs forming forests on the coastal wetlands, typically growing between saltmarsh and seagrass beds. Sydney Olympic park is the main habitat for the grey Mangrove and the planted river

The human impact on the reef has caused a lot of damage and so in 1971 the City of Onkaparinga, State Government, Coast care groups and environmental organisations all had supported a decision to protect the reef. So the reef has now a reserved part which is protected and separated from the one open to tourists. The positive effect of human intervention has been creating this 300 ha of aquatic reserve to safe

There are many organisms living, thriving and surviving off of the mangrove forests. Mangroves are always being affected by natural and unnatural factors that create significant threats to this precious ecosystem (Mangrove Watch, 2016). The natural factors can occur seasonally, annually and periodically, with severe events including cyclones and anything else that affects all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living)

In Belize, mangroves estimate up to 3.4% of the land area, about 296 square miles (CITE). Mangroves serve important ecological service such as erosion control, filter, and clean, while also providing shelter to many marine organisms like lemon sharks, invertebrates, shrimp, and manatees. There is a lot of biodiversity in mangroves and due to the clearance for urban and rural development, many of these organisms are losing their homes (Patterson). Belize’s coastal areas are usually sea grass beds. Sea grass destruction strip away habitats from numerous lobster, conch, fish, turtles, and manatees (CITE). Sea grass is the manatee’s main food source and destruction of these beds limits their grazing and range. Watercraft traffic in these shallow areas is also another reason of harming the sea grass beds.

However, many fisherman are unable to catch as many fish as they used to, so they are increasingly using cyanide and dynamite in fishing, which further degrades the coral reef ecosystem.[6] This perpetuation of bad habits simply leads to the further decline of coral reefs and therefore perpetuating the problem. One solution to stopping this cycle is to educate the local community about why conservation of marine spaces that include coral reefs is important.[7] Once the local communities understand the personal stakes at risk then they will actually fight to preserve the reefs. Conserving coral reefs has many economic, social, and ecological benefits, not only for the people who live on these islands, but for people throughout the world as well.

The plants that grow in saline soils have diverse ionic compositions and a range in concentrations of dissolved salts (Volkmar et al., 1998). These concentrations fluctuate because of changes in water source, drainage, evapo-transpiration, and solute availability (Volkmar et al., 1998). Due to these varying conditions, plant growth depends on a supply of inorganic nutrients, and this level of nutrients varies in time and space (Maathius and Amtmann, 1999). Either extreme condition concerning nutrients results in deficiency or toxicity in plants, and this is demonstrated by salt tolerance (Maathius and Amtmann, 1999). These conditions vary according to the plant species and growth conditions. Little is known about the genetic basis for diversity of salt tolerance in plants, and this could be partly explained through the definitions given for salinity.

Another abiotic factor that helps the formations of different zones would be the tidal movement (aerial exposure) effecting the sea life shore community. The tidal zones we found at Siren’s Rocks are the sublittoral zone, low tide, mid tide, high tide and supralittoral zone. These are all on the data recorded by us at the rocky shore we researched.