Consider the following statements regarding Mangroves: They are charac...
Explanation:
Mangroves are unique and highly productive ecosystems that are found in intertidal zones, where the land meets the sea. They are characterized by dense, salt-tolerant trees and plants that thrive in these areas. The given statements regarding mangroves are as follows:
Statement 1: They are characterized by dense, salt-tolerant trees and plants that thrive in intertidal zones.
This statement is correct. Mangroves are indeed characterized by dense vegetation that can tolerate high salinity levels. They have unique adaptations that enable them to survive in the harsh conditions of the intertidal zone, such as specialized root systems that provide stability and enable gas exchange, and salt-filtering mechanisms that allow them to extract freshwater from seawater.
Statement 2: They are found mainly in tropical and subtropical latitudes.
This statement is also correct. Mangroves are predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions, where the climate is warm and the conditions are suitable for their growth. They are most abundant along tropical coastlines in countries such as Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, and Nigeria. However, mangroves can also be found in some temperate regions, such as the southern coast of the United States and parts of southern Africa.
Conclusion:
Both statements are correct. Mangroves are characterized by dense, salt-tolerant trees and plants that thrive in intertidal zones, and they are mainly found in tropical and subtropical latitudes. These unique ecosystems provide numerous ecological and socio-economic benefits, including coastal protection, habitat for diverse species, carbon sequestration, and support for local livelihoods. However, mangroves are facing significant threats from human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change, which highlight the need for their conservation and sustainable management.
Consider the following statements regarding Mangroves: They are charac...
International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is celebrated every year on July 26.
About International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem:
- It is celebrated every year on July 26.
- This International Day was adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.
- Purpose: To raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses.
What are Mangroves?
- Mangroves are unique coastal ecosystems found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
- They are characterized by dense, salt-tolerant trees and plants that thrive in the intertidal zones, where land and sea meet.
- They are typically found in sheltered coastal areas, estuaries, lagoons, and tidal flats, where they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
- Some common species of mangrove trees include the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora spp.), Black Mangrove (Avicennia spp.), White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and the Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus).
- Features:
- Respiratory or knee roots:
- They have specialized adaptations to cope with high salt levels in both the soil and water, such as unique root systems called "prop roots" or "pneumatophores" that help with gas exchange in waterlogged soils.
- They project above the mud and have small openings (lenticels) through which air enters, passing through the soft spongy tissue to the roots beneath the mud.
- They can survive extreme weather conditions and require low oxygen levels to survive.
- They cannot survive freezing temperatures and thus are found mainly in tropical and subtropical latitudes.
- Mangrove forests can store ten times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests.
- They can store carbon up to 400 per cent faster than land-based tropical rainforests.
- Mangroves improve water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediments from the land, and they reduce coastal erosion.
Hence both statements are correct.
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