Seagrass Anatomy and Physiology

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following characteristics differentiates marine flowering plants from seaweeds?

  • Marine flowering plants are multicellular; seaweeds are unicellular.
  • Marine flowering plants are angiosperms, while seaweeds are not.
  • Marine flowering plants evolved from terrestrial ancestors, while seaweeds are originally aquatic. (correct)
  • Marine flowering plants are photosynthetic, while seaweeds are not.

What is the primary function of lacunae in seagrass anatomy?

  • To protect the plant from strong currents.
  • To facilitate pollination by attracting insects.
  • To provide structural support to the leaves.
  • To serve as a continuous system for gas transport. (correct)

Seagrasses can be found in different habitats, which of the following is suitable for their growth?

  • Polar seas with icy conditions
  • Deep ocean trenches with minimal sunlight
  • Salty and brackish waters that are tropical to temperate (correct)
  • Freshwater lakes with rocky substrates

In what way do seagrasses contribute to the health of marine ecosystems?

<p>By stabilizing sediments and sequestering carbon. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What critical role do mangrove forests play in coastal ecosystems?

<p>Protecting shorelines from erosion and acting as natural buffers against storm surges. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'halophytic' as it relates to mangroves?

<p>Adapted to salty or saline conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation allows mangroves to thrive in oxygen-poor soil?

<p>Prop roots and pneumatophores that facilitate gas exchange. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is unique to mangroves regarding their reproductive strategy?

<p>They exhibit viviparity, where seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes seagrasses from macroalgae in terms of their ecological roles?

<p>Seagrasses are flowering plants that stabilize sediment, whereas macroalgae are algae without roots. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of salt pores in the leaves of certain mangrove species?

<p>To secrete excess salt absorbed from the soil. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the growth pattern of seagrass rhizomes contribute to its survival and propagation?

<p>Rhizomes allow for horizontal spread and vegetative propagation while anchoring the plant. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the root systems of seagrasses and mangroves that dictates their roles in marine ecosystems?

<p>Seagrasses have simple root structures, whereas mangroves have aerial and prop roots for additional support and respiration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would be the most likely consequence if a large area of seagrass meadow was destroyed?

<p>A reduction in marine biodiversity and increased coastal erosion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Compared to other coastal habitats, how do mangrove forests uniquely contribute to carbon sequestration?

<p>Mangroves sequester carbon in their roots and surrounding sediment, storing it for extended periods. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of seagrasses impact water quality in coastal areas?

<p>Seagrasses improve water clarity by trapping sediments and absorbing excess nutrients. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do lenticels, found on mangrove roots, contribute to the plant's survival in intertidal zones?

<p>They facilitate gas exchange for respiration. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately compares the distribution and diversity of seagrass and mangrove species in the Philippines?

<p>The Philippines has a rich diversity of both seagrass and mangrove species, but distribution studies are still needed. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the economic importance of mangroves correlate with their ecological role in coastal regions?

<p>The ecological role of mangroves in protecting coastlines enhances fisheries and tourism, thereby increasing their economic value. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might climate change impact the distribution and health of seagrass meadows and mangrove forests?

<p>Rising sea levels and increased storm frequency could lead to habitat loss and reduced resilience for both ecosystems. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference in the way mangroves and seagrasses respond to increased sedimentation in coastal waters?

<p>Mangroves can trap excess sediments with their root systems, while seagrasses can be smothered and die off. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering that seagrasses are flowering plants, what characteristic distinguishes their flowers from those of terrestrial plants?

<p>Seagrass flowers are very small and inconspicuous, relying on water currents for pollination. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which adaptation allows mangrove forests to serve as nurseries for a variety of marine species?

<p>The complex root systems that offer shelter from predators and strong currents. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenges do seagrasses and mangroves face in urbanized coastal regions, and how do those challenges affect their roles in maintaining coastal health?

<p>Pollution, habitat destruction, and altered water flow in urban areas reduce the capacity of seagrass and mangrove ecosystems to stabilize sediments and filter pollutants. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of conservation efforts, why is it important to consider the genetic diversity within populations of seagrass and mangrove species?

<p>Higher genetic diversity ensures better adaptation to environmental changes and increases the resilience of the populations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies would be most effective to restore degraded seagrass and mangrove ecosystems while considering both ecological and socioeconomic factors?

<p>Develop integrated management plans that address pollution, promote sustainable coastal development, and engage local communities in conservation efforts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would be the long-term consequences of the loss of both seagrass and mangrove ecosystems on the global carbon cycle?

<p>Reduced carbon sequestration and increased release of stored carbon into the atmosphere and oceans. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenges do conservationists face when attempting to apply findings from research on seagrass and mangrove ecosystems in one region to conservation efforts in another?

<p>Differences in species composition, environmental conditions, and local socioeconomic contexts require careful adaptation of conservation strategies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

While both seagrasses and mangroves contribute to marine biodiversity, how does their specific role in supporting fish populations differ?

<p>Mangroves offer complex three-dimensional habitats sheltering juvenile fish from predators, whereas seagrass meadows provide foraging areas. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Marine Flowering Plants

Flowering plants adapted to marine environments, evolved from terrestrial ancestors.

Seagrasses

True plants with long, green, grass-like leaves, performing photosynthesis and being multicellular.

Rhizomes

Horizontal stems of seagrasses that grow beneath the sediment.

Seagrass Flowers

Small and inconspicuous in seagrasses, as they don't need to attract insects for pollination.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Lacunae

Provide a continuous system for gas transport in seagrasses, due to less oxygen in water and sediment.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Seagrass Habitats

Salty and brackish waters, mostly sandy or muddy, tropical to temperate coastal oceans (except polar seas) from intertidal to subtidal zones.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Seagrass Importance

Ecologically important roles: primary production, habitat/food, sediment stabilization, and carbon sequestration.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mangroves

Halophytic trees, shrubs, and other plants adapted to wet, saline habitats with periodic tidal submergence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mangrove Habitats

They live along tropical and subtropical shores in brackish to saline tidal waters.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Salt Pores

Located on leaves, roots, and branches; they secrete excess salt absorbed from the soil.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Salt Exclusion

A method where roots exclude salt, preventing its absorption.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Viviparity

Seeds germinate while attached to the parent tree; seedlings drop fully developed.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Prop Roots

Roots exposed to air, aiding in oxygen uptake in low-oxygen soils.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Pneumatophores

Pencil-like roots that stick up from the substrate, providing air to submerged roots.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Lenticels

Slits in the bark and roots that facilitate gas exchange.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ecological Importance (Mangroves)

Habitats, nurseries, nesting sites, food sources, contributors to water quality, shoreline protection, and natural buffers against natural disasters.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Economic Importance(Mangroves)

Food, medicine, and hardwood for boat building and cabinet timber.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

  • Module 4 covers marine macroalgae and plants focusing on seagrass and mangroves
  • Specific objectives include identifying major groups, representatives, and discussing anatomical and physiological adaptations

Marine Flowering Plants

  • They are angiosperms
  • These plants along the shores and shallow ocean waters evolved from terrestrial ancestors
  • This contrasts with seaweeds, which are originally aquatic

Seagrasses

  • Seagrasses are true plants
  • Most seagrass species have long green, grass-like leaves
  • Seagrasses are photosynthetic and multicellular

Seagrass Anatomy

  • Seagrass have horizontal stems called rhizomes that grow beneath sediment
  • Seagrass stems look somewhat like bamboo, with cylindrical sections called internodes separated by rings (nodes)
  • Seagrass flowers are very small and inconspicuous because they don't need to attract insects for pollination
  • Lacunae provides a continuous system for gas transport through the plant
  • Since water carries less oxygen than air, and sediment lacks oxygen, the leaves must supply oxygen to the rest of the body

Seagrass Habitat

  • Seagrass can be found in salty and brackish waters
  • Seagrasses mostly grow in sandy or muddy areas
  • They are found in tropical to temperate coastal oceans, but not in polar seas
  • They are also in intertidal to subtidal zones

Ecological Importance of Seagrasses

  • They provide primary production
  • act as habitats and food for various organisms
  • They stabilize sediment and sequester carbon

Seagrass Species in the Philippines and the VIP

  • There are 16-18 seagrass species in total in the Philippines
  • Enhalus acoroides is a species of seagrass
  • Halophila ovalis is a species of seagrass
  • Syringodium isoetifolium is a species of seagrass

Mangroves

  • Mangroves are halophytic (salt-loving) trees, shrubs, and other plants
  • Mangroves are adapted to life in wet soils, saline habitats, and areas with periodic tidal submergence

Mangrove Habitat

  • Mangroves live along tropical and subtropical shores and brackish to saline tidal waters

Mangrove Adaptations to Salt Water

  • Salt pores are located on leaves, roots, and branches to secrete excess salt absorbed from the soil
  • Some mangroves exclude salt at the roots
  • Viviparity is when seeds germinate while attached, fully developed seedlings drop from the tree

Mangrove Adaptations to Low Oxygen in Soil

  • Prop roots are exposed to air
  • Pneumatophores are pencil-like roots that stick up from the substrate
  • Lenticels are slits in the bark and roots

Ecological Importance of Mangroves

  • They provide habitats, nurseries, and nesting sites
  • They provide food
  • Contribute to higher water quality
  • They protect shorelines from erosion and serve as natural buffers against waves, tsunamis, and storm surges

Economic Importance of Mangroves

  • They have edible fruits and honey from flowers of some species
  • Traditional medicines treat skin disorders and sores (including leprosy), headaches, rheumatism, snakebites, boils, ulcers, diarrhea, and other conditions
  • They also provide hard wood for boat building and cabinet timber

Mangrove Species in the Philippines and the VIP

  • There are 37 species in the Philippines
  • Avicennia marina (local names: bungalon, apiapi, miapi)
  • Sonneratia alba (local name: pagatpat)
  • Rhizophora stylosa (local name: bakhaw bato)

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser