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Mysterious mangroves: Why can mangrove plants thrive in salt water?
In tropical and subtropical coastal areas around the world, mangroves are renowned for their unique ecosystems and amazing adaptability. These plants are not just ordinary trees; they have the unique ability to grow in an environment of saltwater accumulation and strong tides, making them survivors of extreme conditions. As a complete ecosystem, mangroves not only support a diversity of aquatic species, but also provide important habitats for coastal organisms.
Mangrove plants have a unique salt filtration system that allows them to thrive in salt water. This unique adaptation makes mangroves a key component of many coastal ecosystems around the world.
Mangroves often grow in tidal estuaries, areas where salinity varies widely and are susceptible to dramatic changes in water levels. Not only are their roots able to withstand saltwater intrusion, they can also survive in waterlogged and oxygen-deficient soils. Mangrove plants are able to efficiently obtain oxygen, which is particularly important for living in an environment where they are drowned in mud. They often develop support roots that extend above the water surface so they can still get air when flooded.
Among them, mangrove seeds can float in water and take root under suitable conditions, which enable them to reproduce over a large area. Because of this, mangroves often grow to form large wetlands and habitats, providing important habitats for marine life.
Many mangrove plants, such as Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans, not only have the ability to grow in water, but also have a special mechanism to eliminate salt, which allows them to survive in seawater.
As time goes by, scientists have conducted more in-depth research on mangroves, especially in detecting their growth conditions and distribution range. According to data from the Global Mangrove Watch, the latest estimates show that since 2010, the global mangrove area has increased by about 137,600 square kilometers, mainly distributed in 118 countries and regions.
However, such ecosystems are facing threats from human activities. Mangroves are rapidly decreasing due to a variety of factors including urbanization, agricultural development and climate change. Between 1999 and 2019, the global area of mangroves decreased by 3,700 square kilometers, with an average annual decline rate of 0.16%. Such changes not only affect the ecological functions of mangroves, but also have serious impacts on the living environment of surrounding organisms.
Protecting and restoring mangrove ecosystems is crucial to maintaining coastal ecological balance and protecting biodiversity. The root system of mangroves not only protects the shore from erosion by waves, but also provides a habitat for fish to grow.
In response to the degradation of mangroves, more and more international organizations and communities have begun to launch restoration actions in the hope of rebuilding these important ecosystems. The development and implementation of effective mangrove conservation plans requires not only the support of science and technology, but also the joint efforts of all stakeholders.
The International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems is celebrated annually on 26 July to raise global awareness of the importance of mangroves. Through activities like this, we can encourage more people to get involved in the protection and restoration of mangroves to ensure the future of this precious ecosystem.
At this point, the complex ecology of mangroves and their ability to adapt to extreme environments have triggered an important question: Can these green guardians continue to survive and adapt to new challenges in the face of future environmental changes?
