IGCSE Marine science 5.6 mangrove forrests

The Syllabus states:

Candidates should be able to: 

1 describe the structure of a typical mangrove forest 

Further guidance and exemplification: limited to: • an intertidal zone often bordering a terrestrial forest • often estuarine

2 describe how the abiotic factors change in an estuary during a tidal cycle 

limited to: • salinity • temperature • dissolved oxygen

3 explain how adaptations of mangrove trees enable them to live in waterlogged soil with low oxygen and tidal salt water 

limited to: • aerial roots (pneumatophores) for gas exchange • prop roots for support • leaves can secrete salt including: 

4 describe how organisms are adapted to live in a mangrove forest 

 (a) banded archerfish, limited to: • large, forward-set, movable eyes for binocular vision to target prey out of water • specialised mouth shape enables them to spit a jet of water up to 150cm to knock insects into the water • dark bands form camouflage to provide protection from birds 

(b) mudskippers, limited to: • absorb oxygen through their skin and the lining of their mouth and throat when they are moist • enlarged gill chambers trap water so they can still obtain oxygen when on land • shape of pectoral and pelvic fins adapted for movement on land • large eyes set high for use out of wate

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