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The Importance Of Mangroves In Australia

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Mangroves are trees and shrubs that can be found along coastal intertidal zones in tropical and subtropical areas near the equator due to their inability to survive in low temperatures. Mangroves are found not only in australia but on coastlines all over the world and are distributed over 100 countries in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Australia contains the third largest area of mangroves in the world after Indonesia and Brazil, totalling around 11,500 km2 representing approximately 6.4% of the world’s total mangrove area (Appendix A) (Mangrovewatch.com, 2017). There are 73 different types of mangrove species in the world. 39 of these mangrove species dwell in Australia. The intertidal zone or littoral zone, is the area that is exposed at low tide but is submerged by seawater during high tide. Mangroves survive in salt water on sheltered muddy shores, because they have adapted to the harsh abiotic conditions in order to survive in their area. Mangroves also provide a habitat for marine organisms such as fish, crabs and yabbies. Furthermore they provide a habitat for many land animals such as birds, pythons, lizards and crocodiles. How mangroves contribute to the functioning of intertidal ecosystems will be discussed on this report.

Mangroves have a very important role in their ecosystem. Their niche includes protecting and providing for many organisms. Mangroves are considered main producers in their complex food system (Appendix B). “The food chain

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