Mangrove /MangalDiversity
Questions:
• Why are trees found in some ocean boundaries?– Aquatic/terrestrial – salt/freshwater
• What are the characteristics of these ecosystems?
• How is mangal important to marine ecosystems?
Definitions:
• Mangrove– A type of tree that tolerates variation in
inundation and salinity• Mangal
– A community (set of species) on the marine fringe
– Dominated by a special set of salt-tolerant trees
– Includes many other, associated species, both of terrestrial and marine origins
Characteristics: very low wave action, with silty substrates (sometimes sand)
Extent: 2/3 – 3 /4 of tropical shores were fringed with mangal
Tidal flux limits mangal distribution:
mangal may reach 5 km inland or 300 km upriver (New Guinea)
Sandy substrate in low energy environments
Low relief, extensive mangal in NW Australia
Rhizophora
Black Mangrove pneumatophores
Rhizophora stilt roots
Sonneratia buttresses: muddy substrate
Spreading roots stabilize
Red mangrove leaves
Red mangrove flower
Red mangrove, incipient fruit
Red mangrove, viviparous
Red mangrove, floating embryos
Red mangrove, seedling
Red mangrove, sapling
Red mangrove, hammock
Black mangrove, local disturbance
Mangal, large-scale disturbance
Mangal, regeneration
Mangal, mature and tall trees – Cairns, Australia
Mangrove zonation
Zonation, continued
Jellyfish
Colonial tunicates
Herbivorous snails
Mangrove snail
Mangrove spider
Crab
“Walking” fish
Red Tide effects
Large consumers – links with terrestrial habitats