Describe your ecosystem.
The word "mangrove" applies to salt-tolerant, tropical trees. Living in this ecosystem you would experience soft, low oxygen soil with slow moving waters and be at Tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator because mangroves can't withstand freezing temperatures. Mangroves and coral reefs have a symbiotic relationship. This means the coral reef protects the coast where mangroves grow from being eroded by the sea. Mangroves are flooded twice a day by tides, increasing vegetation in the mangrove forest. What are the major biotic factors? The living things in an ecosystem are called biotic factors. Living things consist of plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. Trees, Mud- crabs, sea- snakes, algae, barnacles, oysters, sponges, and bryozoans are examples of biotic factors in the Mangrove Forest. What are the major abiotic factors? Salinity- Mangroves have adapted to live in salt water ecosystems. Sodium and Chloride are toxic to most plants. Although salts cause stress to mangroves, they are still able to grow in salty conditions where other plants cannot. This reflects how well a mangrove forest can adapt to these conditions even though they don't need salt to live. Temperature- Plants are generally exothermic (determined by temperature around them.) To avoid heat damage, Mangroves will orient their leaves to reduce the amount of light they receive. Light- Light is probably the most important factor of the plant environment. Too much light or not enough can interfere with the plants processes. Mangrove forests can deflect sunlight when needed. For example, if there is not enough light, mangroves will spread their leaves or produce certain chemicals to absorb more light. Nutrients- Mangrove Forests take up Nitrogen and Phosphorous and use them to build roots, stems, and leaves. If there isn't enough nutrients, Mangroves will adapt to grow more roots in order to obtain an adequate amount of nutrients. Where in the world can your ecosystem be found? Mangroves are found in warmer areas between the latitudes of 32 degrees North and 38 degrees South (the tropics and subtropics) They are found along the Atlantic coast from Florida all the way down to Argentina. They are also found on both coats of Africa. |
![]() What are the dominant (main) animals and plants in your ecosystem?
Mangrove trees provide habitat to fish, crustaceans, mammals, birds, and reptiles. In addition, less-visible species such as insects and crustaceans live among the roots and branches of the mangrove plants. In the U.S., larger animals found in mangroves include reptiles. For example, the American crocodile and American alligator; sea turtles including the hawksbill, Ridley, green and loggerhead; fish such as snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, and red drum; crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs; and coastal and migratory birds such as pelicans, spoonbills and bald eagles. The main plants in a mangrove forest are the mangroves themselves. Describe the habitat in this ecosystem. Mangroves grow in dense, brackish swamps along coastal and tidally influenced, low energy shorelines. Factors such as temperature, climate, salt tolerance, water level fluctuation, nutrient runoff, and wave energy influence the composition and distribution, of mangrove communities. As temperatures warm and the sea rises, mangroves will be forced toward the land out of their current habitats so they don't flood. Slow growing species may not be able to keep up with these changes which make them extremely sensitive to climate change. A natural threat to mangroves are hurricanes because the mangroves can't stand the impact of the high waves and winds. How do humans impact this ecosystem? People living along coastlines with large,healthy mangrove forests receive great benefits from the trees. During intense storms, the mangrove forests act as a shield, reducing wave action, preventing erosion, and absorbing floodwaters. The majority of the loss of mangroves is human caused. Examples of human impacts are clearing, overharvesting, overfishing, pollution, and destruction of coral reefs. Today, less than half the world’s original mangrove forest cover remains. As much as 50% percent of mangrove destruction in recent years has been due to clear cutting for shrimp farms. Mangrove Deforestation causes:
Fun Facts In the recent years, mangrove forests have been classified by many governments as “wastelands,” or useless swamps. This mistaken view has made it easier to use mangrove forests as cheap and unprotected sources of land and water. Mangrove forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world. They are disappearing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests, and so far, with little public notice. Approximately 75 percent of commercially caught local fish, such as snook, tarpon, and snapper, utilize mangrove systems at some point during their lives Without mangroves, fish populations can plummet, coastal areas are vulnerable to beach erosion and the full force of hurricanes. There are about 80 different species of mangroves. |