Mangroves are mostly tropical trees that grow in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones, where they form distinct communities known as mangals or mangrove forests.
Papua New Guinea is second with 44 mangrove species to Indonesia which has 45 comparing with 110 of the total number of mangrove species occurring in the world.
True mangroves have a number of features that help them thrive in this boundary zone between land and ocean including adaptations for mechanical fixation in loose soil, breathing roots and air exchange devices, specialized dispersal mechanisms, and specialized mechanisms for dealing with excess salt concentrations. Mangroves are the only true viviparous plants. This means that the seed remains attached to the parent plant and germinates into a protruding embryo (propagule) before falling from the tree.
Mangroves are renowned for their high productivity and, consequently are extremely important to the nutrient budgets of adjoining estuaries and other coastal waters. Mangrove forests also serve as important nursery, feeding, and refuge areas for a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic organisms including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. Some of these species are threatened and others are highly valued by sports and commercial fisheries, inshore and offshore.
In spite of their ecological importance, mangrove forests are under intense pressure from man's activities.
Hello Rikson,your blog here is very important.I am also passionate about our natural environment and conservation. I started a mangrove project whilst in primary school and am still doing it.Mangrove planting in swampland and coastline on my island that sea water erosion has been distructive.
ReplyDeleteAs a Journalism student now, I wish to raise much awareness on this issues. Seeing your blog gives me much motivation.