VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP TO TOWRAPOINT NATURE RESERVE/BO Essays

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP TO TOWRAPOINT NATURE RESERVE/BOTANY BAY 1Identify the various plans and animals that occupy this ecosystem.Wading birds, bitou bush, lantana, snakes, crab, river and grey mangroves, salt marsh, algae, small fish, mud whelk.Describe how the abundance of mangrove seedling is measured.The abundance of mangrove seedlings is measured by using the quadrat method. Several set areas of land are randomly marked out, the amount of seedling in each area is counted and averaged. This is then multiplied by the total study area divided by the individual quadrat areaDescribe the distribution of mangrove species.River mangroves prefer to grow in sandy more sediment areas in small clumps, while grey mangroves prefer muddy areas and grow further apart.Identify the producers, consumers and decomposers.Plants like mangroves and salt marsh as well as detritus (mostly dead plants) are producersAnimals like foxes, birds and fish are consumersWhile smaller fish, crabs alga and fungi are decomposersGive examples if any ofa) predator/preyb) mutuali smc) commensalismd) parasitisme) allelopathy(a) birds prey on fish (b) lichen growing on mangrove tree (c) oysters andmangroves (d) mistletoe growing on mangrove bark (e) some fungi stunt thegrowth of other plants 7AdaptationList conditions found in mangrove ecosystem which makes colonization difficult.Little sunlight on floor, very wet, varying salinity.Identify and describe in detail.Mangrove: roots provide structural support in soft soil, also allows oxygen in though the surface.Ibis: lack of feathers on neck to reduce water logging, long beak to probe into mud, long toes to balance on mud.Grey mangrove: taller to reach out of canopy and get more sunlight for photosynthesis.River mangrove: leaves can regulate salinity, and turn in high heat to reduce water loss though evaporation. 8Human impact- Discuss at least three human impacts on this ecosystem. (include a positive one as well). Invasive introduced plants are affecting native plants at towra point. Plants like lantana and bitou bush take up space and steal resources from native plants ever since being introduced in the 1860s, introduced feral animals like foxes and rabbits pose a threat to native species. They eat native birds and other wildlife as well as causing erosion to the soil through burrowing. Many conservation programs are in place to reduce coastal erosion, regenerate habitat and kill non-native species.