AlexTSwamps

MANGROVES!!!!! ~Alex T~





MANGROVE BASIC INFO:

Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow in saline coastal habitats in tropics and subtropics. Mangroves are found in coastal environments with high energy wave action.

Because these swamps are constantly replenished with nutrients from runoffs and waves, there is a wide population of decomposers and filter feeders. Mangroves are considered nurseries for fish and other species.These are popular for fish because there is a good food supply and the mangroves help protect fish from other predators.



Microscopic organisms:
 * Algae


 * Diatoms
 * blue-green algae
 * Bryozoa:


 * Phytoplankton: microscopic plants that depend upon water currents for transportation, primary producers in aquatic environments.
 * the species richness relies on the primary source of water and salinity levels
 * Detritus: dead or decaying matter
 * provides a food source most of the marine life
 * Flushed into estuary by the outgoing tides



Free-swimming organisms
 * Fish
 * snook
 * grouper
 * snappers
 * sheepshead
 * snapper
 * seatrout
 * tarpon




 * Crocodiles/Alligators
 * American crocodiles
 * Snakes
 * mangrove water snake
 * florida green water snake
 * eastern indigo snake
 * rosy rat snake
 * rough green snake
 * banded water snake
 * king snake
 * cottonmouth
 * salt marsh snake

Benthic organisms: Live in roots of mangroves
 * Jellyfish
 * Crabs
 * grouper
 * bottom feeders
 * oysters
 * shrimp



Abiotic Factors:
 * saline
 * underwater climate
 * Nutrients
 * nitrogen
 * soluble iron
 * phosphate
 * sulfides
 * methane
 * water activity
 * waves etc..

Threats to environment:
 * polution
 * fishing
 * recreation
 * oil spill
 * hurricanes/tsunamis

Endangered Species:
 * Ivory billed woodpecker
 * one of largest woodpeckers in world
 * Last woodpecker reported was in Arkansas in 2004
 * Roseate Spoonbill
 * long legged wading bird with pink feathers
 * 880 nesting pairs live in florida



Personal Reflection: Mangrove are very beneficial to humans and animals. Mangrove trees provide a barrier against storm surges and destructing waves. For example, if the original mangroves had been on the coast of Louisiana, it would have significantly helped New Orleans flooding problems. Mangrove swamps also provide a protection for smaller animals that are threatened by bigger predators.

Food Web 

Atlas 

Various Authors. "Mangroves." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation Inc, 6 Sept. 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2010. . I began my research on this website to get the main ideas.

Environmental Protection Agency (Content source); Judith S. Weis (Topic Editor);. 2008. "Mangrove swamp." In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth January 18, 2007; Last revised May 12, 2008; Retrieved September 9, 2010]<[]>

"Image of the Day." Woods Hole Oceanic. N.p., 28 Oct. 2008. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. .

"South Florida Mangroves." Ichthyology. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. . BEST WEBSITE EVER