Grey mangroves
The grey mangrove or avicennia is capable of living in extremely saline conditions and is thus labelled a halophyte. Numerous adaptations have been utilised that enable the grey mangrove to tolerate the saline water and the anaerobic soil found in the estuaries in which they inhabit. Salt elimination adaptions have been implemented through natural selection and allow the grey mangrove to take in salt water, retain the fresh water and excrete the sodium chloride through salt glands on the mangrove leaves. The emitted salt is accumulated of the surface of the mangrove leaves which is detached from the plant when the salt load on the leaf becomes too high. This adaption consequently allows the grey mangrove to survive in saline environments due to the modifications which allow the plant to obtain water whilst extricating the salt. Additionally The grey mangrove is able to restrict the opening of their stomata which allows the plant to retain the fresh water allowing it to better survive in saline environments. Stomata are small pores which are located all over the grey mangrove leaf, (they are more abundant on the underside of the leaves), through which carbon dioxide and water vapour are exchanged during photosynthesis. It is imperative for the grey mangrove to be able to retain fresh water due to the salty waters which often inundate the plants environment and the tropical habitat which they abode. Accordingly the mangroves are able to reduce water loss by turning their oval, pointed leaves away from the hot exposure of the sun. As a result the surface area of the leaf that is heated by the sun is dramatically reduced, henceforth preventing water loss via evaporation.
The grey mangroves thrive in intertidal zones of soft, muddy terrain. The soil which these plants inhabit is anaerobic meaning it has low oxygen content therefore the aveicennia adapted pneumatophores through which gaseous exchange occurs allowing the plant to obtain oxygen. Pneumatophores are aerial roots which also provide structural support for the grey mangrove in the soft muddy setting. The height of the pneumatophores depends on their location and distance from water. The closer to the water a pneumatophore is, the taller it will be allowing it to penetrate over the changing water level.
The seeds of the grey mangrove are dispersed by the tide following a germination process called vivipary. This is a process whereby the seed is germinated whilst still attached to the tree allowing the seed to quickly and efficiently establish itself once it has been detached from the tree. Due to the fact that the seed of the grey mangrove is dispersed by the tide, the clustering of young trees is prevented which impedes the competition for natural resources.
The grey mangroves thrive in intertidal zones of soft, muddy terrain. The soil which these plants inhabit is anaerobic meaning it has low oxygen content therefore the aveicennia adapted pneumatophores through which gaseous exchange occurs allowing the plant to obtain oxygen. Pneumatophores are aerial roots which also provide structural support for the grey mangrove in the soft muddy setting. The height of the pneumatophores depends on their location and distance from water. The closer to the water a pneumatophore is, the taller it will be allowing it to penetrate over the changing water level.
The seeds of the grey mangrove are dispersed by the tide following a germination process called vivipary. This is a process whereby the seed is germinated whilst still attached to the tree allowing the seed to quickly and efficiently establish itself once it has been detached from the tree. Due to the fact that the seed of the grey mangrove is dispersed by the tide, the clustering of young trees is prevented which impedes the competition for natural resources.