Black vs Red Mangroves

Sharing something I learnt on the trip to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. How the roots of the mangrove adapt to its environment.

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Adaptations to Low Oxygen

black mangrove

Black mangroves live on higher ground and make many pneumatophores (specialised root-like structures which stick up out of the soil like straws for breathing) which are also covered in lenticels. These "breathing tubes" typically reach heights of up to thirty centimeters, and in some species, over three meters.

red mangrove

Red mangroves which can survive in the most inundated areas, prop themselves above the water level with stilt roots and can then absorb air through pores in their bark (lenticels).



can you spot the red and black mangrove in this picture?

click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove for more information

...... and an interesting picture

Malayan Water Monitor Lizard (not the Komodo Dragon - as the latter is indigenous to the island of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang in Indonesia)