[5] Mangroves

• Group of plant species that are salt-tolerant, and can grow within intertidal zones of the tropics and subtropics

  Mangroves
• T or F: Mangroves consist of trees

  False
• Structural adaptations to adapt to harsh conditions:

  1. Thick, leathery, shiny, succulent leaves
  2. Confined stomata on the underside of leaves
  3. Salt glands
• Modified adventitious roots that grow downward to support heavy branches

  Prop roots
• Type of root system shown in the image:

  Knee roots

  
• Roots that penetrate up from the substrate for aeration

  Pneumatophores
• Made of extremely complicated below-ground networks

  Knee roots
• Type of roots that hold onto the substrate

  Anchor roots
• Type of roots that facilitate nutrient diffusion

  Nutritive roots
• Lenticels in pneumatophores allow for aeration during low tides
• Mangroves are exposed to more harsh conditions, and therefore are reproductively viviparous
• Propagules are viviparous structures that give mangroves a head start in growing
• As it detaches from the parent plant, the pointed end of the propagule will pierce the substrate
• Ecological roles of mangroves:

  1. Sediment stabilization
  2. Habitat
  3. Carbon sequestration
• Mangroves are evergreen and can continually sequester carbon
• Cambium stripping allows for the cutting down of mangroves