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Florida's Mangrove Estuaries: Living on the Edge

Explore the unique ecosystem of Florida's mangrove estuaries in this PowerPoint presentation adapted from the Everglades Foundation lesson "Living on the Edge." Learn about mangroves, common plants, animals, and the effects of climate change on these vital habitats. Discover the importance of mangroves in preserving biodiversity, stabilizing coastlines, and providing essential ecosystem services. Understand how mangroves and tidal zones interact and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

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Florida's Mangrove Estuaries: Living on the Edge

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  1. Estuaries – Florida MangrovesMaterials in this PowerPoint adapted from the Everglades Foundation lesson “Living on the Edge” (http://www.evergladesfoundation.org/curriculum) NSF Grant DRL-1316782

  2. Florida’s Mangrove Estuaries Estuary – Partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water Brackish Water – Where fresh water and saltwater meet

  3. What are Mangroves? Mangroves – Variety of trees and habitat associated with brackish water

  4. Common Plants Black Mangroves Red Mangroves White Mangroves Buttonwood (FCIT) String Lily (Vincent P. Lucas)

  5. Common Animals • Mangrove tree crab • Horseshoe crab • Mangrove water snake • Loggerhead sea turtle • Raccoon Blue Crab Grey Snapper West Indian Manatee • Bald Eagle • Roseate Spoonbill • Wood Stork • Brown Pelican

  6. Red Mangroves Top Left: Prop roots – spider-like roots buffer against wind & waves Bottom Left: Lenticles, small pores in the roots, secrete salt Top Right: Larger leaves retain water Bottom Right: Cigar shaped propagules, or seedlings

  7. Black Mangroves Top Left: Pneumatophores, or aerial roots, extend up from main roots Bottom Left: Cable roots radiate outward near the surface (FCIT) Top Right: Leaves excrete salt, note silvery underside of leaf Bottom Right: Lima bean-shaped propagules

  8. White Mangroves Left: No significant surface root system Top Right: Petioles, or leaf stems, have glands that excrete salt Bottom Right: Triangular propagules resemble more common seeds

  9. Mangroves and Tidal Zones

  10. Ecosystem Services Roots prevent erosion by trapping sediments while providing a nursery for 30% of commercial and recreational fish Mangroves sequester carbon while slowly extending the coastline Ecosystem Services – benefits that people get from healthy ecosystems like clean water and air

  11. Effects of Climate Change • Temperature • CO2 Concentrations • Changing Salinity • Sea Level Rise • Severe Weather North America Changing rain patterns have changed the salinity of the ocean in past 50 years Red: increased 0.5% Blue: decreased 0.5% (Durack, Wijffels, Matear) Sea level rise of 2 meters will redefine coastal U.S. states (NOAA)

  12. Summary • What are Mangroves? • Common Plants • Common Animals • Types of Mangroves • Mangroves and Tidal Zones • Ecosystem Services • Effects of Climate Change

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