Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Mangrove Functions and Values
Mangroves trap and cycle various organic materials, chemical elements, and important nutrients in the coastal eco-system.
Mangroves provide one of the basic food chain resources for marine organisms. The leaves of mangroves last for approximately a year before falling into the water where bacteria and fungus decompose the leaves – these leaves form the base of the food chain. The mixture of decaying plant material, soil, water, fungus and bacteria makes up Detritus (pronounced “di-tri-tes”) which provides food for marine organisms – i.e. crabs, shrimps, oysters, claims, anchovies, mullets. These marine species in turn provide food for larger species, i.e. Snook, Seatrout, Red Drum and Pinfish, Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon, which in turn provide food for Bottle Nosed Dolphins, Bull Sharks, Alligators, pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Wood Storks, Eagles, Osprey – and humans.
Mangroves provide physical habitat and nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine organisms, many of which have important recreational or commercial value. For example, the pneumataphores of the Black Mangrove provide safety for many marine animals, sheltering crabs, shrimp, fish and clams, protecting many from predators.
Mangroves serve as storm buffers by reducing wind and wave action in shallow shoreline areas.
Mangrove seedlings unlike other plants whose seedlings need to be germinated, are alive and ready to grow. The moment they are dropped from the parent plant they have the ability to take root and produce trees.
An estimated 500,000 acres of mangroves remain in the coastal areas of Central and South Florida. It is estimated that approximately 80% are under governmental or private ownership or control for conservation and preservation purposes.
living nature
4:48 PM
