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