THE MANGROVE Go back and visit your roots. Presented by: KAT Inc. Kristi, Arianna, Tony

Vacation Spots LocationDuration Gulf of Mexico8 Days South American Coast12 Days West Africa6 Days East Africa6 Days Oceania18 Days Bay of Bengal Cruise14 Days

Visiting Mangroves LocationRecommended Time of Year Gulf of MexicoMay South American CoastNovember (avoid rainy season) West AfricaEnd of October East AfricaApril OceaniaOctober Bay of Bengal CruiseDecember Average Temperature 77 Degrees 72 Degrees 85 Degrees 80 Degrees 75 Degrees 70 Degrees

Characteristics Flora Mangroves can range from shrubs to 200 ft.- tall trees Mangroves live in harsh conditions – They must survive high-salinity, tides, and low oxygen

Characteristics Flora The roots Some mangroves such as red mangroves have roots that prop them up Some mangroves such as grey mangroves have pneumatophores, roots that stick out to take in oxygen

Friends of the Mangroves A “rainforest by the sea” Includes typical forest and marine creatures Breeding ground for fish and birds

Friends of the Mangroves Male fiddler crabs have enormous claws Mudskippers: a “fish out of water” Proboscis monkeys

Physical Features Found in tropical and subtropical tidal areas near the equator 75% exist between 25° North and 25° South High tides bring in salt water -When tide recedes, solar evaporation of seawater in the soil increases salinity -Return of tide flushes out soils, bringing back to salinity levels of the seawater

Physical Features cont… Houses many types of algae Tree/plant roots are very exposed Mix of fresh/salt water (very saline) Mud has low oxygen levels Mangrove swamps protect coastal areas from erosion – Massive roots are efficient at dissipating wave energy from hurricanes and tsunamis

Climate Dry season- becomes very saline with some trees producing salt crystals on their leaves Rainy season- when most rain falls – Tends to flood rivers, causing high tides

Rainfall

Environmental Issues Shrimp farms Overharvesting Coral Reefs

Unique Features There are more than 50 species of mangroves throughout the world They occupy a zone of such high heat, high salt levels, and choking mud that any other plant in the environment would die within hours. Most mangroves get flooded at least twice a day, but the tangled roots helps it survive.

Bibliography "Mangrove." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec Web. 14 Dec "Mangroves." Smithsonian Ocean Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec "Mangroves." - National Geographic Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec "Mangroves." Smithsonian Ocean Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec