2.05 Oceans Impact on Climate
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2.05 Alternate
How Severe Weather Events Impact Ecosystems
Background Informa on- Mangroves
Mangrove forests are an important inter dal habitat found along tropical and subtropical shorelines. The
dense tangle of prop roots makes mangrove trees appear to be standing on s lts above the mud and
water. The shallow inter dal zone around the mangroves plays a central role in transferring organic
ma er and energy from the land to marine ecosystems. Organic ma er from fallen leaves and branches
forms the base of important marine food chains. When bacteria break down the detritus, nutrients are
released into the water to be used by marine animals. This makes mangrove forests an excellent habitat
for juvenile fish and other marine creatures. Their roots shelter vibrant, hidden ecosystems.
There are more than 50 species of mangrove trees around the world, with varying degrees of tolerance
to soil salinity, flooding, and nutrient availability. Most mangroves have adapta ons that allow them to
thrive in different zones.
We will be examining three species that are found together in the southern
United States. The red mangrove, with its mul ple prop roots, grows closest to the open water. The black
mangrove grows at eleva ons slightly higher than the red mangrove, where
dal changes expose the
roots to air. The least salt-tolerant of the three species is the white mangrove. It lives farther inland,
where it is less exposed to dal waters.
Mangroves are an important habitat for both human and ecological communi es because they provide:
●
Habitat for marine organisms such as mollusks, crabs, and shrimp
●
Protected nes ng for birds and nursery area for juvenile fish
●
Carbon withdrawal and storage
●
Protec on against erosion
●
Stabiliza on for shorelines
●
A buffer against hurricanes and tropical storms
●
Nutrients for neighboring ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds
Hurricanes:
Hurricanes are intense rota ng oceanic weather systems that have maximum sustained winds exceeding
74 mph. They form and intensify over tropical ocean regions. As they approach land, strong winds and
storm surges can have a major impact on local ecosystems.
On land, hurricanes cause habitat loss and destruc on. Plant life can easily be swept away by floods and
severe winds. Excessive rain can cause plants to drown, and it also causes soil erosion. Mudslides o en
take plants down with them, ripping up their roots and killing the plants.
Near shore and in the ocean, hurricanes are responsible for sediment erosion and deposi on, which
o en affects oyster beds and coral reefs. Saltwater intrusion in freshwater lakes and streams causes
massive fish kills and affects the lakeside habitat. The hurricane flood water o en carries many toxic
substances (heavy metals, pes cides, ammonia, phosphate, untreated sewage). These toxic substances
can cause degrada on of water quality, phytoplankton blooms, a decrease in dissolved oxygen, and harm
to many organisms.
Mangrove forests provide a natural storm barrier for inland areas. The dense network of branches
buffers the wind and absorbs the force before it can reach inland communi es. In the process, these
complex ecosystems can sustain significant damage. In this ac vity we will explore the damage created
during a major hurricane, and the impacts of the recovery efforts.
Before Hurricane Irma
A er Hurricane Irma
NASA images by the
Goddard Lidar, Hyperspectral and
Thermal Imager
(G-LiHT) science team.
Following Hurricane Irma, an es mated 60% of the mangrove study area was damaged due to hurricane
force winds and storm surge. Mangrove forests are resilient ecosystems, but due to the importance of
these environments, researchers are developing methods to accelerate ecosystem restora on. For this
study, we will examine two hypothe cal areas.
Sample site A
will be part of the
restora on team
effort
. Three species of mangroves will be planted
and
monitored over a five-year period.
Sample site B
will have
natural regrowth
and serve
as a control group. Data will be recorded and
analyzed to evaluate the success of the recovery efforts.
In your own words, what was the purpose of this lab? (2pts)
To see if researchers can restore mangrove
ecosystems faster.
Iden fy the independent and dependent variables in your inves
ga ons. (2pts)
Independent:
Restora on Methods
Dependent:
Recovery Success
State your hypothesis. (1pt)
If the restora on methods
are implemented, then they will accelerate the
recovery of mangroves compared to their natural regrowth.
Data Collected: Percentage of Mangrove Coverage
Sample Site A
Sample Site B
Before hurricane
75
75
Immediately a er hurricane damage
15
10
6 months post hurricane
20
30
1 year post hurricane
30
50
2 years post hurricane
45
60
3 years post hurricane
55
65
4 years post hurricane
70
60
5 years post hurricane
80
65
Number of Species
Sample Site A
Sample Site B
Before hurricane
49
44
Immediately a er hurricane damage
20
11
6 months post hurricane
24
15
1 year post hurricane
27
21
2 years post hurricane
32
26
3 years post hurricane
35
29
4 years post hurricane
39
34
5 years post hurricane
45
41
Average Mangrove Height A er Five Years (in meters)
Sample Site A
Sample Site B
Red Mangrove
6.1
5.2
Black Mangrove
5.4
4.7
White Mangrove
4.7
4
Analysis: (10 points)
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Create
two graphs
to display the mangrove coverage from the first data table and second data table. It
should be a line graph showing percent coverage over me and have two lines of data points on it, one
for sample site A and one for sample site B. Be sure to label the graphs. A template for each is provided
below.
Need help graphing? Here's a video on how to make a chart or graph in Microso
Word:
h p://screencast.com/t/sYsxN15k2OO
You can also
create the graph by hand, and a ach it separately
from the lab report.
You can copy and paste each image to enlarge it as needed.
Conclusion:
Your conclusion will include a summary
of the lab results and an interpreta on of the
results.
Please answer in complete sentences, in paragraph form.
(15pts)
1. What effects did weather have on the environment?
2. (a)From the data collected, which site showed the most re-growth?
Weather and environmental condi ons significantly influenced the recovery of mangroves
following Hurricane damage. Both Sample Site A and Sample Site B ini
ally experienced a
decline in mangrove coverage due to the hurricane. However, over the five-year period, Sample
Site A exhibited a more substan al re-growth, increasing from 15% coverage immediately a er
the hurricane to 80% a er five years. In contrast, Sample Site B showed slower progress, with
coverage increasing from 10% to 65% during the same period.
(b)In your opinion, was the restora on project effec
ve? Why?
The restora on project was effec
ve, par
cularly at Sample Site A, which displayed more
significant re-growth of mangroves. This conclusion is supported by the data showing that
Sample Site A had a higher number of species throughout the study period, indica ng greater
biodiversity. Addi onally, the average height of mangrove species in Sample Site A improved
over five years, further valida ng the success of the restora on efforts there.
3.
(a)Why was coun ng the number of species in the area important?
Coun ng the number of species in the area was crucial because it provided insights into
biodiversity. A higher number of species indicates a healthier and more stable ecosystem. In this
study, Sample Site A consistently had a higher number of species than Sample Site B, sugges ng
that Sample Site A had a more diverse and healthier ecosystem.
(b)How could the biodiversity in the area be an indicator of the health of the ecosystem?
Biodiversity in the area can be an indicator of the health of the ecosystem because a diverse
range of species o en means that different ecological niches are being filled. This, in turn, can
lead to more stable and resilient ecosystems, be er able to withstand environmental changes
and disturbances.
4.
(a)A er five years, the average height of each mangrove species was also measured. Did this
informa on help you be er evaluate the success of the restora on project?
Measuring the average height of each mangrove species a er five years helped in evalua ng the
success of the restora on project. It revealed that mangroves at Sample Site A had be er growth
on average, which further supports the effec veness of the restora on efforts at that site.
(b)What could be changed for future restora on projects to increase growth on planted sites?
To improve growth in future restora on projects on planted sites, factors such as soil quality,
ongoing maintenance, and species selec on should be carefully considered. These elements can
significantly impact the success of restora on efforts.
5. The mangroves provide a habitat for different species. Explain how the ecosystem and
surrounding areas could have changed if the area had not been restored.
If the area had not been restored, the mangrove ecosystem and surrounding areas would likely
have faced more significant consequences. The loss of mangroves can disrupt the habitat for
various species, affec ng the en re food chain and overall biodiversity. Addi
onally, the absence
of mangroves could lead to increased coastal erosion, poten ally impac
ng nearby communi
es
and making them more vulnerable to storm damage. Restora on efforts play a crucial role in
preserving and sustaining these vital coastal ecosystems.
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