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Mangrove Ecosystem Facts & Worksheets

The intertidal zone along the shore is home to a collection of plants and shrubs known as mangroves.

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The intertidal zone along the shore is home to a collection of plants and shrubs known as mangroves. Mangrove trees come in roughly 80 different species. These trees thrive in low-oxygen soil environments with slowly moving rivers that allow fine sediments to build up.

See the fact file below for more information on the Mangrove Swamp Ecosystem, or you can download our 26-page Mangrove Swamp Ecosystem worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DESCRIPTION

  • Mangrove forests can only grow in tropical and mild temperate latitudes because the main species prefer wet environments. Mangrove forests are in high quantities in regions like Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia.
  • For instance, mangroves and reef-building corals are ecosystem engineers since they create their ecosystems and support a variety of other species. Vast quantities of soft silt are trapped by mangroves’ extensive root systems, and in some locations where they become dense mangrove forests, they have been known to create entire islands. Significantly, networks of such sediment-trapping forests act as a buffer for wave-induced erosion and as a crucial line of defense for coastal zones and residents against powerful tropical storms.
  • Many fish and invertebrate species, including those essential to the fishing industry, use mangrove forests as important nurseries before moving on to coral reefs and other habitats as they develop.
  • The adult populations of these species, as well as the fishers who depend on their capture, suffer without the protection that mangrove forests offer to the juveniles of these species. Numerous seabirds, waterfowl, and terrestrial animals use mangrove forests as their principal habitat.
  • Mangrove forests are among the most valuable ecosystems in the world due to their dual functions as habitats for commercially important species and as a means of coastal protection. Sadly, they disappear quickly, just like many other coastal and marine environments.

MAJOR FEATURES

  • Mangroves are mostly found in the tropical regions and subtropics of the planet in between latitudes of 25° N and 25° S. Additionally, they require a lot of sunlight for their roots to filter salty water. This explains why mangroves are only found in coastal waters of the tropics and subtropics.
  • Mangrove trees often reach heights of 8 to 20 meters and are a component of the ecosystem of the littoral forest.
  • Furthermore, in protected low-lying coastal beaches, estuaries, wetlands, tidal streams, paddy fields (coastal waters stymied by land), marshes, and lagoons in tropical and subtropical climates, they are typically evergreen woods.
  • The root system and the extensive salt filtering mechanism of mangroves are intricate. Additionally, mangroves contain unique roots known as pneumatophores, or “breathing roots,” which draw oxygen from the air. The mangrove habitat’s low soil oxygen level forces the root system to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere.

The types of the mangrove are as follows:

  • Rhizophora– roots are sent downward by these root systems. Rhizophora contains pneumatophores. Specialized roots emerge from the water vertically to draw oxygen from the atmosphere.
  • Avicennia- its limited oxygen supply in its environment is absorbed by aerial roots called pneumatophores. The anaerobic soil respiration issue is handled with pneumatophores (blind roots).
  • Stilt roots- adventitious roots called stilt roots to grow from the main trunk of a tree above the ground.
  • Viviparous- Mangrove forests reproduce by viviparity, meaning tree seeds germinate inside the tree before falling. This is an adaptable approach to the problem of saline water germination.
  • The last type of Mangrove roots is:
    • Succulent leaves- like plants in the desert, mangroves hold fresh water in their clingy leaves. They produce water vapor through the veins in their leaves, which adds moisture to the air and keeps it from becoming too dry.

CHALLENGES AND THREATS TO MANGROVES

  • They are destroyed for industrial, mining, aquaculture (shrimp farming), pesticide, fertilizer, fuel, and salinization use, as well as for agricultural, fuel, fodder, and salinization needs. The following are some challenges to Mangroves:
    • Sea level rise, tsunamis, and coastal erosion are all effects of the sea. 
    • Rivers’ contaminated water.
    • Used as fuel and food.
    • Goats are capable of destroying both mature trees and the seedlings of mangroves.
    • Mangroves are seriously threatened by plastic bags and other garbage.
  • For instance, Mangrove plantation establishment should include activities such as selection, site preparation, planting, management, monitoring, and assessment.

Below are some threats to the Mangrove Ecosystem:

  • Mangrove habitats are significantly harmed by biotic pressure or natural disasters.
  • Aquaculture: Shrimp farming accounts for most mangrove cultivation, endangering the ecology.
  • These forests are in danger due to increasing coastal land acquisition for agriculture and industry, the discharge of untreated residential sewage and industrial effluents, pesticide residues from agricultural lands, and more.
  • Moreover, sufficient biological flow in rivers is necessary to flush silt and other pollutants from the mangroves; 
    • upstream activities like river training and natural erosion and accretion affect the health of mangroves and; diverse mangrove ecosystems are lost due to climate change.

ROLE AND BENEFIT OF MANGROVES

  • Mangroves play the following significant roles:
    • Mangrove trees feature unique roots called prop stems or pneumatophores that aid in obstructing water flow to increase silt deposition, stabilize coastal shorelines, and serve as a breeding place for fish.
    • Mangroves stop soil erosion along the coast.
    • A wide variety of plants, avifauna, and wildlife can be found in mangroves.
    • Moreover, Mangroves have a significant role in mud bank stabilization, wind, tidal, and wave energy dissipation, as well as aiding land accretion. For instance, by removing nutrients that might otherwise cause hazardous algal blooms offshore, mangroves enhance the quality of the water, especially for sea creatures around it.
  • Mangroves protect a wide variety of creatures, including birds, insects, mammals, and plants, as well as breeding sites for numerous fish. Furthermore, Mangroves encourage the natural recycling of nutrients.
  • It gives communities access to timber, firewood, and edible and medicinal plants. For coastal communities that depend on honey, tannins, wax, and fishing, mangroves are an essential source of income.
  • Mangroves act as important carbon sinks and help to lessen the amount of flooding that occurs in coastal lowlands during monsoon seasons.
  • On the other hand, the following are the benefits of Mangroves:
    • Mangroves serve as a barrier between habitats on land and in the ocean.
    • Beaches are shielded by mangroves from storms, waves, and floods.
    • Mangroves aid in reducing erosion along the coast.
    • By capturing particles from the land and filtering pollutants, mangroves play a crucial part in enhancing the quality of the water.
    • Numerous land and sea species can be found living in mangroves.
  • Moreover, to increase the ecological sustainability of mangrove ecosystems and meet global environmental commitments, research, science, technology, and data systems must be developed.
  • Mangroves contribute 10-15% of carbon burial in maritime environments despite making up less than 2% of them. The stored carbon is carried to the seafloor by the dying leaves and elder trees, where it is deposited in the soil.
  • This buried carbon is known as “blue carbon” because it is stored underwater in coastal habitats like mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, and salt marshes.

PRESERVATION MEASURES FOR MANGROVES

  • The Sundarbans was the first mangrove forest in the world to be scientifically maintained in 1892.
  • A National Mangrove Committee was established in 1976 by the Environment Ministry.
  • 1979: Mangrove mapping was advised using remote sensing, land surveys, and other techniques to determine the pace of degradation and to analyze potential locations for reserve forests, conservation initiatives, and afforestation.
  • 2005: Mangroves were recognized as forests by the Mumbai High Court.
  • 2013: The Biotechnology Department launched an experimental bio-restoration program in the Sundarbans. It entails stabilizing degraded mangrove stretches using indigenous grasses.
  • In 2016, the Maharashtra government designated about 15,000 hectares of mangroves as reserve forests. It is not permitted to build within 50 meters of these mangroves.
  • 2018: The High Court decided that Article 21 of the Constitution’s prohibition on the destruction of mangroves was breached.

Mangrove Ecosystem Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Mangrove Ecosystem across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Mangrove Ecosystem. Mangrove trees come in roughly 80 different species. These trees thrive in low-oxygen soil environments with slowly moving rivers that allow fine sediments to build up.

Mangrove Ecosystem Worksheets
Mangrove Ecosystem Worksheets
Mangrove Ecosystem Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Mangrove Swamp Ecosystem Facts
  2. #SupportingStem
  3. Mangrove Quiz
  4. Year of Reservation
  5. Key Word
  6. The FAQ’S
  7. BeneFIT of the Tree
  8. Fiv5 Senses Poem
  9. The Thinking Hats
  10. The MSE project
  11. Scientificulous!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mangrove ecosystem?

A mangrove swamp ecosystem is a coastal ecosystem found in tropical and subtropical regions that is dominated by mangrove trees. These trees are specially adapted to live in brackish water, which is a mixture of saltwater and freshwater, and they play an important role in stabilizing coastal ecosystems.

What are some benefits of mangrove ecosystems?

Mangrove swamp ecosystems provide a number of benefits, including protection from storms and hurricanes, carbon sequestration, and providing habitats for a wide range of marine and terrestrial species. They also serve as important nurseries for fish and shellfish.

What are some threats to mangrove ecosystems?

Mangrove swamp ecosystems are threatened by a number of factors, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Human activities such as logging, aquaculture, and urban development can also have a negative impact on these ecosystems.

How do mangrove trees survive in brackish water?

How do mangrove trees survive in brackish water?

What can be done to protect mangrove ecosystems?

To protect mangrove swamp ecosystems, it is important to address the root causes of their degradation, such as deforestation and pollution. This can involve implementing sustainable land-use practices, regulating industries that may harm these ecosystems, and investing in research and conservation efforts. Additionally, it is important to involve local communities in these efforts, as they often have important knowledge and perspectives on how to protect and sustainably use these ecosystems.

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Link will appear as Mangrove Ecosystem Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 13, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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