Mangrove Forests: A World of their own

This topic submitted by Martha Freeman ( freemama@muohio.edu) at 3:46 PM on 3/30/08.

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Mangroves: A World of their own

1. Where Mangroves are found
a. South America
b. Central America and Caribbean
c. United States (Florida & Texas)
d. Africa
e. Asia/Pacific Islands
2. Ecosystem of the Mangrove Forests
a. Tropical/Sub-tropical tidal areas
b. Plants living there
c. Animals living there
d. Protect coastline from wave energy
3. Biology of the Mangrove Forest
a. MangroveÕs adaptation to low oxygen
b. Limiting salt uptake by their roots
c. Limiting water loss by their root
d. Nutrient uptake by roots
e. Seed Dispersal
f. Different species of Mangrove trees
4. Mangrove Destruction
a. Shrimp farming
b. Conservation techniques

Mangroves provide one of the largest ecosystems for fish, plants, and animals to live in. They provide shelter for the these organisms, as well as protection for the coastline from incoming waves and storms. Mangrove forests are scattered all over the worldÕs inter-tidal zones, and need to be understood and appreciated. These delicate forests can be easily harmed by fishing, shrimping, and deforestation. With these forests gone, many organisms and plants will be unprotected and could eventually go extinct. Mangrove forests relate to Marine ecology in many ways. They are part of our great expanse of oceans, as well as being apart of the fragile food and energy chain. Through this research paper I want to first of all understand the biology and ecology of the mangrove tree as well as the mangrove ecosystem. Secondly I want to understand what is threatening our Mangrove forests, and lastly, I want to see what conservation techniques are being used to save our Mangrove forests.

Works Cited:

Campbell, Neil A., and Jane B. Reece. Biology. 7th ed. San Fransisco: Pearson Education, 2005. 811.

Different Kinds of Mangrove Forests Provide Different Goods and Services
Katherine C. Ewel; Robert R. Twilley; Jin Eong Ong
Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters, Vol. 7, No. 1, Biodiversity and Function of Mangrove Ecosystems. (Jan., 1998), pp. 83-94.
Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0960-7447%28199801%297%3A1%3C83%3ADKOMFP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-O

Macdiarmid, Alison, ed. "Mangroves and Seagrass." Treasures of the Sea. 30 Mar. 2008 .

Mangrove Action Project. 30 Mar. 2008 .

Mangrove Ecosystems: Successional or Steady State?
Ariel E. Lugo
Biotropica, Vol. 12, No. 2, Supplement: Tropical Succession. (Jun., 1980), pp. 65-72.
Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0006-3606%28198006%2912%3A2%3C65%3AMESOSS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Z

Mangrove Forests: One of the World's Threatened Major Tropical Environments
Ivan Valiela; Jennifer L. Bowen; Joanna K. York
BioScience, Vol. 51, No. 10. (Oct., 2001), pp. 807-815.
Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0006-3568%28200110%2951%3A10%3C807%3AMFOOTW%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L

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