Mangroves require warm tropical conditions. The mangrove swamp
is a wetland which is covered by water only at high tide. It is
found between the shore and the coral reef in tropical areas. It
plays an important part in keeping the coral reef safe. You find
mangrove swamps at river mouths or estuaries where the river meets
the ocean.
Slide 3
The name comes from the trees that grow there. Mangrove swamps
got their name from the trees that grow there called mangroves. The
roots of these trees are long curved prop roots that hold the tree
in the ground and help it to get nutrients from the soil. There are
3 kinds of mangrove trees in these swamps; red, black and
white.
Slide 4
Mangroves are very important to the coral reefs that you find
next to them. They filter out dirt and nutrients that would
otherwise go out to the reef and hurt the corals. Algae would grow
on the corals if the mangroves didnt filter it out before going to
the ocean.
Slide 5
In the mangrove swamp many baby animals begin to grow. Crabs
are important parts of the mangrove ecosystem. They live in burrows
(long holes) in the sand. These burrows bring oxygen into the soil
and make it rich. These crabs are quite abundant on the roots of
the red mangroves at Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Slide 6
Sometimes mangrove swamps are cut down to make space for large
hotels. This is a dangerous practice. When hurricanes or tsunami
have come ashore in areas that are still protected by mangrove
swamps there was much less damage done to the coastline and to
human beings.
Slide 7
There are mangrove swamps in many parts of the world.
Slide 8
Destroying mangrove swamps damages habitats The endangered
American Crocodile is an inhabitant of the mangrove swamp. As the
swamps are cut, the crocodiles lose their habitat.
Slide 9
Endangered manatees are also harmed by the destruction of
mangrove swamps. Many, many species of birds live in, on or among
the mangroves.
Slide 10
Many animals live in the mangrove swamps. The Cassiopeia
jellyfish who is also known as the upside- down jellyfish, is found
in the waters of a mangrove swamp. Oysters and Sea Stars: Oysters
are commonly found growing attached to the roots of the red
mangroves.