Mangroves are species of trees that grow in dense thickets or forests on the coasts, in estuaries, and in salt marshes. These trees grow in oxygen-deficient soil which they have adapted to growing in. Some species of mangroves have developed pneumatophores (respiratory roots that grow upward to gather oxygen) while others have adapted in different ways. All mangrove species solely grow in tropical-subtropical regions of the world but scientists say their range is slowly expanding northward (learn more with this video https://youtu.be/47Sw27sLNws).
Mangroves are ecosystem engineers. This means that they create an ecosystem with that is depended on by other species. Mangroves are a breeding ground for many aquatic species as well as birds. With their vast root system, mangroves are able to filter dirty water and reduce wave impact on the coast from storms. Mangroves are also valued for their ability to store carbon by trapping it as organic matter in the soil. Now there presence is being threatened by human development and invasive species.
Brazilian pepper-trees and tree species that are originally native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It was brought over to America and is now invading the native habitats where it can survive (see 2015 range map above), making it an invasive species. The tree has allelopathic properties meaning that the plant emits toxic chemicals in the soil that harm other plants around it. This makes the tree a deadly killer of native plant species.
In Florida, mangrove habitats are highly threatened by the Brazilian pepper invasion. Human disturbances on mangrove ecosystems leaves these habitats more vulnerable to invasion in general. Studies show that the Brazilian pepper’s fruit is the most chemically potent, and when it gets in the water or soil below mangroves mangroves, it can be deadly to mangrove seedling establishment.
Another reason why brazilian pepper-tree invasion is so deadly to mangrove trees is that brazilian pepper forms a dense thicket of branches and roots, allowing for virtually no sunlight to penetrate below them. This means that once there is Brazilian pepper invasion in an area, it is very difficult for native saplings to grow due to the low exposure to light on the soil.
Brazilian pepper-tree is found to replace mangrove ecosystems which is why the removal of Brazilian pepper is so important when thinking about mangrove restoration in the United States. Scientists such as those at Sarasota County, Florida are learning how Brazilian pepper specifically affects the growth of mangrove trees in hopes to reduce the harm Brazilian pepper is doing to mangrove ecosystems.
Human impact on mangrove ecosystems makes them more susceptible to invasive species. Thing you can to (even if you don’t personally live near mangroves) are:
https://www.britannica.com/plant/mangrove
https://ocean.si.edu/holding-tank/mangroves/mangroves-range
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/mangroves.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022098108000336
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/southflorida/habitats/mangroves/impacts/
Effects of the exotic Brazilian pepper in a Florida mangrove ecosystem
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