2. Mangrove Swamps Aquatic Biology and the Environment 2001

3. Contents What is a Mangrove Swamp? Physiology Coping with Salt. Ickle Baby Mangrove Trees. Where are they found? Inhabitants. Threats to Mangrove Swamps Why Bother to Save Mangrove Swamps? Benefits of Mangrove Swamps. Future. Further Reading and Web-sites to Visit

4. What is a Mangrove Swamp?  A collection of specialist shrubs and trees that grow along coastal areas and estuaries in tropical and subtropical regions.

5. Mangrove Physiology  Over 50 species of Mangrove  Grow up to 40 ft (12 m) high.  Up to 1,500 ft (457m) in circumference.  Roots take in air through pores at low tide.

6. Coping with salt  Mangroves grow better in freshwater but are out-competed by better adapted plants.  Salt is dealt with by:-  blocking its absorption at the roots; or  Excreting it through the leaves; or  depositing in old leaves that will be shed soon.

7. Ickle Baby Mangroves  Seeds start sprouting on the tree.  Green shoots allow the seedling to photosynthesize and survive at sea for several months.  When the seedling floats into brackish water the decreased buoyancy floats the seedling vertically and it sticks in the soft sediment.

8. Where are they found? (Mangrove Swamps marked in Red)

9. Inhabitants Blue Crabs Ibis

10. More Inhabitants Fiddler Crab Soldier Crabs

11. Yet More Inhabitants  Mudskippers  Commonly found in Mangrove Swamps.  Absorb oxygen through their skin, but particularly their tail.  Live in water-filled burrows.

12. Threats Human: High Population Density Encroaching Development Pollution from Agriculture Encroachment of Agriculture Aquaculture Natural Threats Wind and Waves from Hurricanes

13. Threats from Humans  Approximately half of the world’s mangrove swamps have been cleared, drained, diked, or filled.  High population density near the coasts. At least half the people in the world are estimated to live within 100 kilometers of a coast.

14. Threats from Agriculture  Nitrogen pollution increases the production of phytoplankton, clouding the water and preventing other plants from growing.  Replacement of Mangrove swamps with agriculture.

15. Threats from Aquaculture  Destruction of Swamps  Introduction of Exotic species and pathogens  Pollution from Foodstuffs (antibiotics, etc)  Feed for shrimps also reduces ocean fish stocks. Shrimp Farm in Thailand

16. Why Bother to Save Mangrove Swamps?  Mangrove swamps provide a unique habitat for:  Birds, Brown Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Ibis etc.  Mammals, Mantee, Monkeys, Guenons etc.  Crustacea, Blue Crab, Fiddler Crab, etc.  Fish, Red Snapper, Archer Fish, Puffer Fish, Sea Catfish, etc.

17. Benefits of Mangrove Swamps  Provide a breeding habitat  Provide protection for maturing young  Trap and cycle nutrients providing nutrients for the diverse organisms.  Mudflat of a Mangrove Swamp

18. More Benefits to Mangrove Swamps  Roots of Mangrove trees filter and assimilate pollutants  Prop roots stabilize substrate.  Protect coast from erosion from wind and waves.

19. The Future  Replenishment programs are now being implemented.  Sustainable aquaculture is being sought.  Pollution is being controlled.

20. Further Reading  http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov  http://www.enn.com (Environmental News Network)  Comptons Reference Encyclopedia, 1996, The Learning Company  http://www.habitatmedia.org  Naylor, Rosamond et al. Effect of Aquaculture on World Fish Supplies, Nature, 405, 1017-1024, June 2000  http://www.aquaria.se/emang.html  http://www.bio.ilstu.edu/armstrong/bigtree/mangrov es/mangrove.htm  http://www.bio.ilstu.edu/armstrong/bigtree/mangrov es.htm