Mangrove ecosystems consist of plants and animals that have adapted to living in the intertidal zone between land and sea in tropical and subtropical regions. Mangroves provide shelter and food for many species through their complex root systems and nutrient cycling between plants, consumers, and decomposers. However, mangroves are increasingly threatened by land conversion for development and pollution, which degrades these important coastal ecosystems.
8. Distribution
In tropical region between 20ºN and
20ºS where the annual temperature is
above 20 degrees
9. Environment
Highly unstable environment as
sedimentation is active but the soil is
not consolidated
Waterlogged soil, so aeration is poor
In high salinity environment
10. Plants
Plants adapt to the soft sea shore
where mud and sand are deposited
Root buttresses and stilt roots develop
38. Energy flow
Warm tropical climate provide a lot of
solar energy for photosynthesis
Mangrove litter dropped on the ground
is consumed by crabs, shrimps and
fish
39. Energy flow
The small animals are then eaten by
larger fish and then by resident and
migrant birds (egrets and spoonbills)
The litter that is not consumed is
decomposed in the soil
40. Example
The fish ponds and gei wais in South
China
The marsh provides shelter for
juvenile and larval animals such as
shrimps and fish
Litters, small plants and animals
provide food for these animals in the
ponds
The animal wastes and litter enrich the
soil with nutrient
41. Nutrient cycling
The sea and rivers carry nutrients to
the shore
The nutrients are absorbed by
mangrove plants and seagrasses and
algae.
The nutrient is then transferred to the
consumers such as crabs, fish and
shrimps
then transferred to human beings,
birds and large fish
43. Nutrient cycling
The dead bodies and litter are
decomposed by micro-organisms in
the soil
Nutrient is released to the soil and sea
water
44. Utilization and threats
Marsh lands have been dredged and
vegetation removed to form fish ponds
They have been developed into
recreational grounds for fishing and
barbecue
This provides income and can make
better use of mangrove resource.
45.
46.
47.
48. Threats
Increase in demand for land in coastal
areas.
– For industrial and residential development
– Recreational use
Environmental pollution around the
wetland
Other threats?
