Mangroves

Question 1

What are mangroves?

Answer 1

Coastal forests that grow in saline, oxygen deficient soils
• Found in tropical areas

Question 2

What are the importance of mangroves?

Answer 2

• Biodiversity
—> Probides habitat for wide range of
species

• Coastal erosion
—> vegetation and prep roots absorb
energy of waves, reducing impact
on coastal areas

• Fisheries
—> provides important nursery
ground for baby fish; dense roots
offer protection from predators

• Resources
—> large source of timber

• Medicinal uses
—> Mangrove plants used in
traditional herbal medicine
—> Cyanobacteria from Caribbean
leaves used to treat lung cancer

Question 3

What are the ecological features of mangroves?

Answer 3

• Dominates by halophytic trees in intertidal areas with saline water

• adapted to survive saline, anaerobic and