Mangrove derives from the spanish word mangle, which means a large group of trees or shrubs that grow on shores of tropics (Wikipedia contributors).There is at approximately 80 known species and 3 types (red, black, white) that have been discovered around the world. Mangroves grow in coastal habitats where freshwater rivers empty into saltwater seas, or vice versa. All mangroves either have prop roots or have a root system that allows them to receive oxygen(Maikut). This essay will contain the important characteristics that mangroves contain. Although not many organisms inhabit mangroves, every single one has its key role. Mangroves serve a great purpose, yet humans destroy 60% of the world's historic mangroves for agricultural reasons (Krueger). Mangroves main purpose and function is to be a nursing ground for small organisms and also house organisms like crustaceans, fish, and many other organisms. Mangroves shelter approximately 75% animals and 25% plants. Not many plants inhabit mangroves, unless they can filter out the salt from the water. Like mangroves can, they also eliminate erosion and have great uses like fishing rods, honey, and also bring in tourist, because of their beautiful elevated prop roots. Mangroves are located where waves are limited and sedimentation is high along with a very low slope. The main producers in this ecosystem are Caulerpa which is a invasive seaweed. They are also very unusual because they only have one cell with several nuclei, which makes them one of the largest single celled organisms in the world. The last producer is Zooplankton. Zooplankton are microscopic organisms that usually drift in oceans and seas but since mangroves have a great filtration system they're able to reside in mangroves too. Zooplankton thrive vigorously in nursing grounds, mostly by crustacean larvae. A few consumers are; Manatees, large behemoths that
Both, people and animals, use the Bays resources every day and have done so for centuries. One of the Bay's biggest resources is its oysters. Oysters are filter feeders which means they feed on algae and clean the water. The oysters feed on algae and other pollutants in the bay, turning them into food, then they condense the food down to nutrients and sometimes develop pearls. Filtering the water helps the oysters grow, and also helps clean the Chesapeake Bay.
They also look after the quality of coastal waters by watering down, sifting, and settling deposits, left-over nutrients and contaminants. They are highly productive ecosystems and provide habitats and act as nurseries for all manner of life.
In conducting my research, I observed activity on a rocky shore off the coast of Washington in the Northwest United States (workbook). This environment inhabits 10 species in shallow water nearly on top of each other. Each species helps form a complicated ecosystem where species protect, consume, and compete for space with other species. Out of the 10 species there are three producers, three sessile consumers (otherwise known as filter feeders), and four mobile consumers- one of which is an invasive species. In this environment the producers are Nori Seaweed (Porphyra), Black Pine (Neorhodomela), and Coral Weed (Corallina). Producers make their own food through sunlight, so only have predators and competition for space. Coral Weed is the strongest
As I was reading, I noticed that most of the characters involved in Crossing the Mangrove have strong opinions stemming from race and class perspective. They live their lives with harsh lenses of judgment by categorizing their fellow Guadeloupian neighbors by race, success, heritage and gender. Francis Sancher came to inhabit the island of Guadeloupe, and people became suspicious of this “foreign stranger”. I found it interesting that most of the women within the novel felt positively towards Francis Sancher, while the men had a strong distaste for him. Though interestingly enough each character seemed to be powerfully drawn to this strange man. “The women secretly had a soft spot for this mastic-bully of a man, so tall and straight under his silvery head of hair. But the men couldn’t stomach him and called him all sorts of names”. In the beginning of the story, no one knew where he actually descended but many liked to guess. Cuba was the main rumor, “As soon as we’d heard he was a Cuban, Papa declared there were too many foreigners in Guadeloupe and that he should be deported with a...
Firstly, we need to gain a general understanding of the structure and functions of the salt marshes in Jamaica Bay. Salt marshes are most commonly manifested through the arrival of seeding’s of the cord grass known as Spartina alterniflora. The grass spreads asexually through the aquatic habitats beneath the earths’ surface. The grass becomes...
CORAL REEFS Almost every one of us have heard and most of you have seen the Coral reefs but did you know what actually these are: As a mariner its important to know about the marine life, that was one reason I have chosen this topic for my today’s short presentation. GM, my scheme of presentation will be flashed. DEFINATION OF CORAL REEF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORAL AND CORAL POLYP WHERE WE CAN FIND CORAL CONSTRUCTION OF CORAL REEFS CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH OF CORAL REEFS TYPES OF CORAL REEFS THREAT TO CORAL REEFS
The outer layer of a reef consists of living animals, or polyps, of coral. Single-celled algae called zooxanthellae live within the coral polyps, and a skeleton containing filamentous green algae surrounds them. The photosynthetic zooxanthellae and green algae transfer food energy directly to the coral polyps, while acquiring scarce nutrients from the coral. The numerous micro habitats of coral reefs and the high biological productivity support a great diversity of other life.
This paper introduces the environmental concerns of the loss of coastal wetlands. The paper will discuss the significance of wetlands and the devastation that is occurring because of human activity. Wetlands are an essential element of our environment both ecological and societal; conservation will be essential for the preservation of these precious ecosystems.
According to NOAA phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that continuously convert sunlight and nutrients into living tissue. Phytoplankton can be harmful to the bay because they at an uncontrollable rate causing harmful algae blooms when there is an abundance of nutrients. Phytoplankton also serve as the main food source for a larger but still microscopic organism named Zooplankton. Marine Bio.org did a study on zooplnkton revealing that they are very weak swimmers making them an easy food source for any larger organsim. Zooplanktons’ main purpose serves as the main food source for small fish and
This article discusses how important the organisms symbiotic with coral reefs are, as well as how important coral reefs are to our environment. Also explained is how natural and non natural things things like hurricanes and overfishing affects them. A study is quoted about how water acidity also plays a role in the bleaching of corals. Lastly, restoration and conservation efforts are discussed and how we could possibly help our oceans.
Analysis of sites in five coastal states indicate that many marshes and mangrove ecosystems receive adequate mineral sediments to produce enough organic sediment and root material to remain above sea level at the present rate of sea-level rise (1-2 mm per year globally). However, three of the twelve wetlands studied were not keeping pace with the current rate of sea-level rise. If sea-level rise accelerates, some additional sites would also begin to slowly deteriorate and submerge.
Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturia, meaning treeless plain. It is noted for its frost-molded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients, and short growing seasons. Dead organic material functions as a nutrient pool. The two major nutrients are nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen is created by biological fixation, and phosphorus is created by precipitation. Tundra is separated into two types: arctic tundra and alpine tundra.
Coral reefs do have a structure. “Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to the edges of island or continents.” There are three types of reefs, fringing, barrier and atoll. Beds of sea grasses often develop in sandy regions. The three reefs share the same similarities from their bottom to pogramph their temperature. But they do have various zones which vary according to their location and their type of reef. There are more than a few thousand reefs that range close to flat. A reef has a highest point and it’s lowest point; it’s highest point is called the reef crest or algal ridge. The width of this zone typically varies, but they are usually 50 meters. These types of reefs produce hundreds of marine life; from small crabs o tiny little
Trees are terrific. They cover the world and provide air and beauty for all to enjoy. Yes indeed trees are terrific. There are many uses for trees and their byproducts. Everywhere we look there are trees or some kind of shrub that always give us something to look at.
Earth is the only planet in the Solar System that has liquid water. The ocean contains ninety seven percent of the earth’s water and covers almost three quarters of the planet. There are four different oceans, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and the Arctic. Tides and currents occur in all three of these oceans. Many different kinds of fish and mammals also make their homes in these oceans. All of these oceans are connected to each other in some way. Humans find oceans to be very interesting, beautiful, and exploring.