3.1 Relationship between Rainforest and Mangroves with environment

Relationship between tropical rainforests and mangroves, and the environment

  • Oxygen generation (i.e. photosynthesis)

  • Carbon storage

  • Habitat for biodiversity

  • Protection from soil erosion

  • Protection from coastal erosion


  • Oxygen generation

    • Tropical rainforest and mangrove help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.

    • Help to keep the earth cool as trees transpire water through their leaves and roots.

    • They are capable of producing oxygen throughout the year as they are evergreen

  • Carbon storage

    • Rainforest and mangrove plants contribute to carbon storage when they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis.

    • The absorbed carbon dioXide is stored in solid form in the plants, in their leaves, branches, stems and roots.

    • Dead leaves and branches that fall in the ground add carbon in the soil.

    • The roots of the plants also produce soil carbon.

    • As the soil in mangroves is waterlogged and poor in oxygen, there are few bacteria available to break down the carbon stored there

How to measure the carbon content of trees | geogy

  • Habitat for biodiversity

o Tropical rainforests are home to over half of the world’s species of plants, animals, insects and fungi with more than 2 million species.

o Abundant diversity of flora and fauna in the rainforest due to:

      • Ample sunlight helps plants to grow and the plants are eaten by animals.

      • The continuous canopy provides the habitat for the plants to grow and animals to live.

o Abundant diversity of flora and fauna in the Mangroves due to:

      • The dead leaves and branches that fall from mangrove plants are broken down by bacteria into tiny particles which fishes, shrimps and crabs feed on. These smaller animals are in turn eaten by larger predators such as otters, crocodiles and even tigers.

      • It is the breeding grounds for young fish, as their dense root networks provide shelter from larger predators.

      • The branches of mangroves also provide nesting sites for many species of birds, such as pelicans, herons, egrets and spoonbills.


Protection from soil erosion

  • The leaves, branches and stems of rainforest plants slow down falling raindrops before they reach the ground

  • The rain drops hit the soil with less force and do not cause the soil particles to be detached and washed away by flowing water, resulting in soil erosion.

  • Roots of rainforest plants help to hold the soil together and prevent soil from being washed away easily

  • More rainwater can infiltrate and percolate into the soil, thus reducing surface run-off .

Source: https://www.geo.sunysb.edu/classes/geo101-notes-07/ex-1-5.htm

  • Protection from coastal erosion

Mangroves protect coastal areas from erosion as they help to reduce the power of strong waves and storms.

  • The dense root systems of mangrove plants help to trap and stabalise loose sediments on the coast so sediments are less likely to be washed away by waves, currents and tides.

  • The roots, trunks and branches of mangrove plants cause friction with waves hitting the coast so the waves lose a significant amount of energy, reducing wave erosion


Biodiversity in Pair Ris Park. Watch the habitants of the mangrove close-up.

Pulau Ubin Mangrove virtual tour https://youtu.be/NvhntoAcsJc