estuaries – florida mangroves materials in this powerpoint adapted from the everglades foundation...
DESCRIPTION
Florida’s Mangrove Estuaries Mangrove estuaries make up much of Florida’s coastline Estuary is a special place where fresh (river) water and marine water mix slowly. Must protected from the open ocean by something like a barrier island or a bay Estuary – Partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water Brackish Water – Where fresh water and saltwater meetTRANSCRIPT
NSF Grant DRL-1316782
Estuaries – Florida Mangroves
Materials in this PowerPoint adapted from the Everglades Foundation lesson “Living on the Edge” (http://www.evergladesfoundation.org/curriculum)
Florida’s Mangrove Estuaries
Estuary – Partially enclosed coastal body of brackish waterBrackish Water – Where fresh water and saltwater meet
What are Mangroves?
Mangroves – Variety of trees and habitat associated with brackish water
Common Plants
Black MangrovesRed Mangroves
White Mangroves
Buttonwood (FCIT) String Lily (Vincent P. Lucas)
Common Animals
• Mangrove tree crab• Horseshoe crab• Mangrove water snake• Loggerhead sea turtle• Raccoon
Blue CrabWest Indian Manatee Grey Snapper• Bald Eagle• Roseate Spoonbill • Wood Stork• Brown Pelican
Red Mangroves
Top Left: Prop roots – spider-like roots buffer against wind & wavesBottom Left: Lenticles, small pores in the roots, secrete saltTop Right: Larger leaves retain waterBottom Right: Cigar shaped propagules, or seedlings
Black Mangroves
Top Left: Pneumatophores, or aerial roots, extend up from main rootsBottom Left: Cable roots radiate outward near the surface (FCIT)Top Right: Leaves excrete salt, note silvery underside of leafBottom Right: Lima bean-shaped propagules
White Mangroves
Left: No significant surface root systemTop Right: Petioles, or leaf stems, have glands that excrete saltBottom Right: Triangular propagules resemble more common seeds
Mangroves and Tidal Zones
Ecosystem Services
Mangroves sequester carbon while slowlyextending the coastline
Ecosystem Services – benefits that people get from healthy ecosystemslike clean water and air
Roots prevent erosion by trapping sedimentswhile providing a nursery for 30% ofcommercial and recreational fish
Effects of Climate Change
Changing rain patterns have changedthe salinity of the ocean in past 50 yearsRed: increased 0.5%Blue: decreased 0.5% (Durack, Wijffels, Matear)
Sea level rise of 2 meters will redefinecoastal U.S. states (NOAA)
• Temperature• CO2 Concentrations• Changing Salinity• Sea Level Rise• Severe Weather
NorthAmerica
Summary
• What are Mangroves?• Common Plants• Common Animals• Types of Mangroves• Mangroves and Tidal Zones• Ecosystem Services• Effects of Climate Change