What is the importance of mangroves and coral reefs?
They perform important ecological functions like nutrient cycling, hydrological regime, coastal protection, fish-fauna production, etc. Mangroves act as shock absorbers. They reduce high tides and waves and help prevent soil erosion. They also provide livelihood opportunities to coastal communities.
How do mangrove trees protect coral reefs?
The sturdy root systems of mangrove trees help form a natural barrier against violent storm surges and floods. River and land sediment is trapped by the roots, which protects coastline areas and slows erosion. This filtering process also prevents harmful sediment reaching coral reefs and seagrass meadows.
What is the difference between coral reefs and mangroves?
The mangroves protect seagrass beds and coral reefs from landward discharges and sedimentations, while the coral reefs also protect the other systems by buffering ocean currents and dissipating wave action.
Are mangroves part of coral reefs?
Starter: How much do you already know about Coral Reefs and Mangroves? Coral reefs and mangrove forests thrive as a result of one another’s existence, it can be classed as a symbiotic relationship.
What is the importance of mangroves in ecosystem?
Mangroves have the ability to grow where no other tree can, thereby making significant contributions that benefit the coastal ecology. Their coverage of shorelines and wetlands provides many diverse species of birds, mammals, crustacea, and fish a unique, irreplaceable habitat.
What is the most famous barrier reef in the world?
Great Barrier Reef
Known as the world’s largest coral reef, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef spans over 1,400 miles (2,300 kilometers). Over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands make up this vast, interconnected reef.
Do mangroves have coral reefs?
Surprisingly, some corals that are quite rare on the coral reefs and more often found in deeper water, such as Mycetophyllia spp. and Scolymia spp., are found growing in the shade of the mangroves. Some corals also grow on patch reefs in deeper water in the bays.
How do mangrove forest and coral reefs relate to sea life?
Keystone of a coastal ecosystem Mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are often found together and work in concert. The trees trap sediment and pollutants that would otherwise flow out to sea. In return, the reefs protect the seagrass beds and mangroves from strong ocean waves.
What eats mangroves in the coral reef?
Other crabs eat the mangrove leaves. Juvenile fish seek the pro- tection of the roots until they grow large enough to safely occupy the reef. Stingrays, small sharks, and crocodiles (Figure 2-3b) hide among the roots where they rest and search for food.
What makes a rainforest coral reef and mangrove swamp?
Mangroves and coral reefs have a symbiotic relationship which means that they both benefit and depend on each other. Coral reefs protect the coast where mangroves grow from being eroded by the sea while mangrove trees trap sediment wash from the land which would otherwise smother and kill the reef.