MANGROVE HABITAT

THE MANGROVE HABITAT IS A NARROW ZONE BETWEEN LAND AND SEA, WHERE TIDAL EBB AND FLOW BRINGS EVER CHANGING CONDITIONS. IN AUSTRALIA, MANGROVE HBITATS COMPRISE MORE THAN 11,500 SQUARE KILOMETRES OF COASTLINE AND ARE REPRESENTED BY ABOUT 30 SPECIES OF TREES AND SHRUBS BELONGING TO 14 FAMILIES. ONLY TWO SPECIES ARE FOUND IN THE MORE TEMPERATE REGIONS AROUND SYDNEY.

The types of animals found in this habitat change with the tides. During high tide, mangroves are the domain of aquatic creatures, whereas at low tide, terrestrial animals roam looking for food. Mangrove wetlands are important nurseries for many fish species, providing shelter and a rich supply of food for hatchlings. It is thought that as much as 75 per cent of the present commercials catch breeds in the mangroves. The leaf litter is then eaten by small creatures, which in turn are eaten by larger animals. It is vital that wetlands be protected to ensure the long term survival of many aquatic species.

MUDSKIPPERS

A mudskipper is well adapted to living on mudflats. Unlike most fish, it can survive out of water for short periods, by filling its gills with water. Its pectoral fins act like legs enabling the mudskipper to “skip” across the mudflats. Its eyes are prominent and allow the animal to see above and below the water simultaneously in its search for food.

COMMON ARCHERFISH

The archerfish generally eats small aquatic animals swimming or floating near the surface, but when hungry, archerfish shoot down insects crawling on leaves and stems of overhanging vegetation. If it misses the first time, it can send further jets of water in quick succession. It has excellent binocular vision which enables it to judge distances very accurately.

FROGS

In Australia, many species of frog have developed unusual reproductive strategies to survive. One species is no bigger than a thumb nail and carries its young in ‘hip- pockets’. Even more bizarre are the two species which use their stomach as a brooding pouch and give birth to young frog lets via their mouth the only vertebrates in the world known to do this. At least one and possibly both species are now believed to be extinct.

 

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                                                  Mangrove 

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