Description

Mangrove Forests are important ecosystems that are found on the shorelines of tropical oceans. A mangrove, is a very important tree that does not bury its roots. Instead it sits on top of them above the soil.

These roots then create an amazing underwater environment that is a home for lots of different animals, especially babies. The branches of the tree above the water are also home to lots of different birds, lizards, bugs and even mammals! The mangrove forest supports all different kinds of life.

The roots of the Mangrove tree also help to keep the soil around it from sliding everywhere. Without the trees, the ground around the coast line could become unstable and dangerous. They provide a barrier between the land and the ocean, which can protect the land from dangerous waves during storms. Mangrove forests also absorb some of the ocean pollution that exists in the water, along with the carbon dioxide that is in the ocena. Mangrove forests are really important to both animals, fish, invertebrates and people too.

Sadly, Mangroves are threatened in a number of different ways. Ocean pollution gets easily caught in the roots of the Mangroves, and hurts both the plants and animals living in the ecosystem. Mangrove forests are often cut down to make room for tourist attractions or building developments because of the ocean front location. This removes the habitats for all the different animals living in the Mangrove forest, and removes the protective barrier against the storms and waves.

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Task

Play the PBS Kids Game Making a Mangrove!

• What did you find challenging about making an ecosystem?
• Which animals disappeared from your ecosystem first? Why do you think they disappeared? Why are these animals important?
• What do you think is the most important thing to keep an ecosystem healthy?
• What are some threats you can think of that might harm Mangrove Forests?
• Why do you think it is important to learn about Mangrove forests?

Answer these questions in a BLOG.

Once you have made a submission for the assignment, your badge will appear the next time you log-in!  

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