Mangrove Swamps
by Klaus Rützler and Ilka C. Feller March 1996
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Source: Scientific American
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Notes:
Summary: Mangrove Swamps are very important, because they support a lot of life in the ecosystem and are one of the common sights on tropical shores. A mangrove swamp is where land and sea intertwine. Their communities develop only near the sea, because they can't compete with freshwater flora. There different types of mangroves from ones that grow in deep waters to the ones that are restricted to higher ground. Unfortunately, the trees that grow in it are being destroyed by construction. Once the trees have been cut. It’s harder for them to regrow. Humans destroy the mangroves in order to build houses and industrial facilities. This can affect the whole ecosystem, since it supports it. We should try to enjoy this masterpiece of nature instead of destroying it for the good of our needs.
Reflection: While reading this article made me surprise and wonder how do humans have the heart to destroy a beautiful sight like the one provided by the Mangrove Swamps? Why do we always put our needs first instead of the needs of the Earth? If we are provided with the education and knowledge why do we keep ignoring it? Those are my questions that as simple as they sound are getting more harder and harder to understand and give a reasonable response. Or simply a response that doesn’t have to do with us and what we need.
- The Mangrove Swamps are one of the most common sights on tropical shores.
- Mangrove Swamp- Where land and sea intertwine or the line dividing ocean and continent blurs.
- Cannot survive in water temperature that falls below about 23 degrees.
- Their communities can develop only near the sea since they cannot compete successfully with freshwater flora.
- There are many mangroves like the black, white, and red mangroves.
- Black Mangroves- Highest salt tolerance
- White Mangroves- Restricted to higher ground
- Red Mangroves- Grow in deeper waters, since they have have stilt-like roots.
- Deforestation is caused for construction.
- Mangrove swamps support a lot of life in the ecosystem.
- Once the trees have been cut, it’s harder for to regrow.
Summary: Mangrove Swamps are very important, because they support a lot of life in the ecosystem and are one of the common sights on tropical shores. A mangrove swamp is where land and sea intertwine. Their communities develop only near the sea, because they can't compete with freshwater flora. There different types of mangroves from ones that grow in deep waters to the ones that are restricted to higher ground. Unfortunately, the trees that grow in it are being destroyed by construction. Once the trees have been cut. It’s harder for them to regrow. Humans destroy the mangroves in order to build houses and industrial facilities. This can affect the whole ecosystem, since it supports it. We should try to enjoy this masterpiece of nature instead of destroying it for the good of our needs.
Reflection: While reading this article made me surprise and wonder how do humans have the heart to destroy a beautiful sight like the one provided by the Mangrove Swamps? Why do we always put our needs first instead of the needs of the Earth? If we are provided with the education and knowledge why do we keep ignoring it? Those are my questions that as simple as they sound are getting more harder and harder to understand and give a reasonable response. Or simply a response that doesn’t have to do with us and what we need.