Sunday, February 25, 2007
Root System of Mangroves
Now let us further understand the roots of the mangroves...
The Root System
Mangrove trees stand in mud on roots that look like stilts above water that contains a high degree of salt. This tangle of roots can be divided into three types:
- the radiating cable roots with their tangle of anchor roots provide support against the ocean's strong waves and tides
- little nutritive roots grow up out from the main cable root and feed on the rich soil just below the mud's surface
- the third type of root collects oxygen for the plant
- provide a hiding place for many small marine creatures
Mangrove root systems provide a filtering system for run-off from the guts of our islands, allowing the sediments to be removed before entering open water. This sediment would otherwise cover and kill coral reef colonies. The mangrove swamp is regularly inundated with salty seawater, but the trees are never fully submerged. With each high tide, the soil surface is covered and the soil often becomes waterlogged. The soil may also be shifted by the waves.
Mangroves at high tide
be kind! 2/25/2007 04:54:00 PM
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