Our planet contains numerous extraordinary habitats. You may already be familiar with the animals that inhabit Challenger Deep. Maybe you’ve also studied the ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. Today’s Wonder of the Day is home to a variety of wildlife. It is a unique type of tree known as the mangrove!
Mangroves are not ordinary trees. They are distinctive because of their habitat. These special plants are found on tropical and subtropical coastlines. Unlike other trees, they thrive in soil that is rich in salt and lacking in oxygen.
This is particularly important for mangroves that grow right along the coast. They are submerged in saltwater twice a day during high tide. These trees have filtration systems that enable them to survive in this environment. Some species filter out salt before it enters the plant, while others excrete the salt through their leaves.
The number of mangrove tree species is a topic of debate among experts. The lowest estimate is 54, but some claim that there are 80 different species that fall under the category of mangroves.
Oftentimes, various types of mangroves grow together in large groups known as mangrove forests. The plants in these forests can vary in size, with some species growing over 130 feet tall while others remain small shrubs.
Mangroves have long roots that extend underwater into the ground. These roots provide shelter for fish and other wildlife, as well as a safe place for laying eggs. As a result, a variety of animals make their homes in this habitat. Mangrove branches are inhabited by birds, insects, monkeys, and sloths, while the water is home to crabs, snails, worms, sponges, barnacles, oysters, shrimp, and various types of fish. Mangrove forests offer food and shelter to many animals, including endangered species.
Many people are unaware that mangroves also play a crucial role in combating climate change. They store large amounts of carbon, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. Mangroves utilize carbon to facilitate the growth of their leaves and branches. When the leaves fall from the trees, they accumulate on the ocean floor.
This process is known as carbon burial, as the carbon becomes buried beneath the seafloor. Mangroves are responsible for 10-15 percent of carbon burial, which is impressive considering they only make up about two percent of water habitats. Globally, mangrove forests cover an area of between 53,000 and 77,000 square miles (138,000-200,000 square km).
Have you ever visited a mangrove forest? If you’re interested, you’re in luck! Mangroves can be found along most coastlines around the world. The most diverse forests are located in Southeast Asia, where experts believe the trees originated. They speculate that mangrove seeds were carried by ocean currents from Asia to other parts of the world. Some of the tallest trees can be found in South America. There are twelve species of mangrove trees in the Americas, and they are also present in India, Africa, and Australia. It is crucial to protect these beautiful and diverse ecosystems.
Give It a Try
Are you ready to continue learning? Find an adult friend or family member who can help you with the activities below!
- Invite a friend or family member to accompany you on an educational outing! Do you happen to live near a mangrove forest? If yes, go and explore it. If not, select another wildlife habitat such as a different forest, a lake, or your local park. Which animals inhabit this area? What types of plants can be found there? How do all of these organisms interact in one ecosystem? When you return home, write a paragraph describing your observations.
- Take a look at these photographs of a mangrove forest. Make sure to read the captions as well. Did you discover any new information about mangroves? Why are these forests so significant? Explain it to a friend or family member.
- Request assistance from an adult to construct your own ecosystem. Make sure to carefully read the instructions and the list of supplies for the ecosystem you wish to create. And don’t forget to take care of your bottle ecosystem once it’s completed!
Sources for Further Exploration
- https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/plants-algae/mangroves (accessed on March 9, 2020)
- https://www.amnh.org/explore/videos/biodiversity/mangroves-the-roots-of-the-sea/what-s-a-mangrove-and-how-does-it-work (accessed on March 9, 2020)
- https://www.conservation.org/stories/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-mangroves (accessed on March 9, 2020)
- https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/mangroves.html (accessed on March 9, 2020)
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