Soil in mangrove ecosystems
Soil PH:
The PH level of soil is tested by adding barium sulfate to a sample of the sediment, then applying an indicator solution which will change colour according the the acidity/alkalinity of the substrate. Alternatively a PH probe can be used which is a device that is placed in the soil and returns a reading of the indicated PH.The substrate tested during this field study returned a PH of 5 which fell short of the average of 5.5-8. The PH level of soil is effected by the tidal inundations and rainfall, this is due to the fact that when the water passes through the soil, it removes basic nutrients from the soil and replaces them with acidic elements. Consequently following tidal inundation or heavy rainfall , the soil will be more acidic than it would be in arid or dry conditions.
Soil substrate:
The clay content of the Home bush soil was tested during this field study, by taking a sample of soil and measuring the behaviour of the soil and the textures of the sample. Soil that has a heavy clay content acts stiff and will be able to be moulded into a rod without fractures. Soil with medium clay content will be able to be rolled into a rod without fractures but will not be stiff and finally soil with low clay content will be smooth to touch but unable to be rolled into a rod.The soil substrate recorded during this field study had a medium clay content and therefore ranged below the average of a high clay content. The clay content found in a sample of soil can effect the growth of plants because the clay content may be too high or too low for the plant to survive.
Soil moisture:
Soil moisture is determined using a moisture meter or probe which reads the temperature of the soil and establishes how much moisture is present in the soil. A reading of 1-3 indicates the soil is dry, 4-7 indicates moist soil and 8-10 implies the soil is wet. The soil moisture level indicated at Home bush at the time of this field study was a 9 this indicated that the soil was wet. This result suited the precedent of having wet soil. The moisture of the soil is very important for the plants at mangroves. It was evident that the casuarina plant preferred less moist soil and as a result was situated further away from the river than that of the salt marsh and followed by the mangroves. The adaptations towards soil moisture can effect the locations of flora.
Soil salinity:
The salinity of soil is effected by tidal influences and rainfall. As the tide comes in and inundates the ecosystem the salinity of this soil rises because there is an deluge of sodium chloride found in the salty ocean water that floods the estuary. Additionally, following heavy rainfall, the salinity of soil is lowered because there is excessive amounts of fresh water penetrating the soil which dilutes the salinity.
The PH level of soil is tested by adding barium sulfate to a sample of the sediment, then applying an indicator solution which will change colour according the the acidity/alkalinity of the substrate. Alternatively a PH probe can be used which is a device that is placed in the soil and returns a reading of the indicated PH.The substrate tested during this field study returned a PH of 5 which fell short of the average of 5.5-8. The PH level of soil is effected by the tidal inundations and rainfall, this is due to the fact that when the water passes through the soil, it removes basic nutrients from the soil and replaces them with acidic elements. Consequently following tidal inundation or heavy rainfall , the soil will be more acidic than it would be in arid or dry conditions.
Soil substrate:
The clay content of the Home bush soil was tested during this field study, by taking a sample of soil and measuring the behaviour of the soil and the textures of the sample. Soil that has a heavy clay content acts stiff and will be able to be moulded into a rod without fractures. Soil with medium clay content will be able to be rolled into a rod without fractures but will not be stiff and finally soil with low clay content will be smooth to touch but unable to be rolled into a rod.The soil substrate recorded during this field study had a medium clay content and therefore ranged below the average of a high clay content. The clay content found in a sample of soil can effect the growth of plants because the clay content may be too high or too low for the plant to survive.
Soil moisture:
Soil moisture is determined using a moisture meter or probe which reads the temperature of the soil and establishes how much moisture is present in the soil. A reading of 1-3 indicates the soil is dry, 4-7 indicates moist soil and 8-10 implies the soil is wet. The soil moisture level indicated at Home bush at the time of this field study was a 9 this indicated that the soil was wet. This result suited the precedent of having wet soil. The moisture of the soil is very important for the plants at mangroves. It was evident that the casuarina plant preferred less moist soil and as a result was situated further away from the river than that of the salt marsh and followed by the mangroves. The adaptations towards soil moisture can effect the locations of flora.
Soil salinity:
The salinity of soil is effected by tidal influences and rainfall. As the tide comes in and inundates the ecosystem the salinity of this soil rises because there is an deluge of sodium chloride found in the salty ocean water that floods the estuary. Additionally, following heavy rainfall, the salinity of soil is lowered because there is excessive amounts of fresh water penetrating the soil which dilutes the salinity.