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Glossary
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Salinity is a measurement of the amount of salt in
water.
Adaptations
to salinity
Most plants cannot tolerate a
high salinity. They dehydrate and die. Mangroves are unique amongst
land plants in their ability to tolerate a wide range of salinities.
They do this by one of three adaptations:
- Secreting salts from their
leaves. This occurs through salt glands. The salt can often be
seen seen sitting on the surface. If you lick a mangrove leaf
you can taste the salt. The salt is removed from the leaves
during rain. (Grey Mangrove, River Mangrove)
- Excluding salt. These
mangroves have special tissue in their roots which prevent
larger salt molecules from entering but allow smaller water
molecules to pass through. This can prevent 80% of the salt
entering. (Most of the NSW Mangroves do this to some extent)
- Salt storage. Salt is
stored in leaves which then fall off the plant taking the salt
with them (Milky Mangrove).
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Salt excretion on
mangrove leaves |
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Using
a salinity meter to take salinity measurements.
Click on the picture
for the results |
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