Mangrove Forests
Mangrove Forests are found all over the world. They are on the coasts where land meets water typically within 30 degrees of the equator. In 2000, there was 53,190 square miles of mangrove forests spanning 118 countries and territories. Since then there has been a significant decrease in the amount of land they cover.
The salinity in the water differs depending on where the mangrove forests are located. Some are located along the sea which then the mangroves have the salinity amount that are in the sea. Others are along freshwater rivers or slightly salty rivers that the mangrove organisms adapt to. The water is generally in the 30ppt-90ppt range. Mangroves are also not very deep. They are only up to about 10 meters deep. This always for sunlight to reach the bottom and grow lots of vegetation to feed the marine life.
Mangroves are threatened because their roots are sensitive to pollutants in the water such as; crude oil, sewage, toxins, and pesticides. They are also cut down because they are the perfect habitat for mosquitos that breed there. So to keep the mosquito population manageable, mangroves are cut down. This is is a bad thing though because mangrove forests help prevent tsunamis and flooding because they are the border between land and water.
Mangrove Trees are special because they have certain aspects about them that help them survive in their unique environment. Their roots grow above the water which helps them stay stable on unstable land. As for the salt, they store the salt they absorb in their leaves which they then shed periodically. These qualities help them survive.
The salinity in the water differs depending on where the mangrove forests are located. Some are located along the sea which then the mangroves have the salinity amount that are in the sea. Others are along freshwater rivers or slightly salty rivers that the mangrove organisms adapt to. The water is generally in the 30ppt-90ppt range. Mangroves are also not very deep. They are only up to about 10 meters deep. This always for sunlight to reach the bottom and grow lots of vegetation to feed the marine life.
Mangroves are threatened because their roots are sensitive to pollutants in the water such as; crude oil, sewage, toxins, and pesticides. They are also cut down because they are the perfect habitat for mosquitos that breed there. So to keep the mosquito population manageable, mangroves are cut down. This is is a bad thing though because mangrove forests help prevent tsunamis and flooding because they are the border between land and water.
Mangrove Trees are special because they have certain aspects about them that help them survive in their unique environment. Their roots grow above the water which helps them stay stable on unstable land. As for the salt, they store the salt they absorb in their leaves which they then shed periodically. These qualities help them survive.