Mangrove adaptations
An adaption is a feature of an organism that makes it suited to its environment, helping it to survive and reproduce. Adaptions are inherited characteristics that are the result of natural selection.
Support and movement-
Mangroves are anchored by complex root systems. Some species of mangrove trees support themselves by stilt roots that lift the plant out of the salty water.
Gaseous exchange-
Due to the lack of oxygen in the water logged soil, some species of mangrove plants pertaining to the avicennia have ariel roots also known as pneumatophores. The tips of these pneumatophores have pours called lenticels through which gaseous exchange can occur.
Control of water balance-
Mangroves are halophytes (salt tolerant plants) due to the fact that their main water source is derived from the ocean. There are three main ways in which mangroves control the salt absorbed from the water. These include Accumulation in which salt is stock piled in certain parts of the plant for example leaves until it reaches a high concentration and the portion of the plant is shed. Alternatively Excretion is the process by which salt is removed from the plant via the salt glands on the upper surface of the plants leaves. Finally Exclusion occurs in the membranes in the root systems of some mangroves, these membranes disunite the salt from the water allowing the plant to absorb the water whilst excluding the majority of the salt.
Control of internal temperature-
Mangrove leaves are hard and leathery and feature thick cuticles which work together to prevent water loss. This technique of storing water prevents wilting of the plant in hot temperatures. In mangrove swamps that comprise of thick foliage, the canopy of leaves allows the lower layers of the tree hierarchy to remain cool at a lower temperature.
Obtaining light-
The shape of the mangrove trees and the arrangement of the foliage ensure that an abundance of light is available for photosynthesis. The dark green pigment of the leaves indicates that they are rich in chlorophyll. Leaves toward the top of the plant are angled whereas the leaves lower down are horizontal in order to obtain a higher level of sunlight.
Reproduction-
Following germination mangrove flowers produce a fruit containing one seed which grows roots which ensure the new plant can rapidly anchor and grow after it detaches from the plant and is deposited in the mud. Once the propagules are fully grown they drop from the plant and their buoyancy allows them to be dispersed by the tide.
Support and movement-
Mangroves are anchored by complex root systems. Some species of mangrove trees support themselves by stilt roots that lift the plant out of the salty water.
Gaseous exchange-
Due to the lack of oxygen in the water logged soil, some species of mangrove plants pertaining to the avicennia have ariel roots also known as pneumatophores. The tips of these pneumatophores have pours called lenticels through which gaseous exchange can occur.
Control of water balance-
Mangroves are halophytes (salt tolerant plants) due to the fact that their main water source is derived from the ocean. There are three main ways in which mangroves control the salt absorbed from the water. These include Accumulation in which salt is stock piled in certain parts of the plant for example leaves until it reaches a high concentration and the portion of the plant is shed. Alternatively Excretion is the process by which salt is removed from the plant via the salt glands on the upper surface of the plants leaves. Finally Exclusion occurs in the membranes in the root systems of some mangroves, these membranes disunite the salt from the water allowing the plant to absorb the water whilst excluding the majority of the salt.
Control of internal temperature-
Mangrove leaves are hard and leathery and feature thick cuticles which work together to prevent water loss. This technique of storing water prevents wilting of the plant in hot temperatures. In mangrove swamps that comprise of thick foliage, the canopy of leaves allows the lower layers of the tree hierarchy to remain cool at a lower temperature.
Obtaining light-
The shape of the mangrove trees and the arrangement of the foliage ensure that an abundance of light is available for photosynthesis. The dark green pigment of the leaves indicates that they are rich in chlorophyll. Leaves toward the top of the plant are angled whereas the leaves lower down are horizontal in order to obtain a higher level of sunlight.
Reproduction-
Following germination mangrove flowers produce a fruit containing one seed which grows roots which ensure the new plant can rapidly anchor and grow after it detaches from the plant and is deposited in the mud. Once the propagules are fully grown they drop from the plant and their buoyancy allows them to be dispersed by the tide.