In almost all estuaries, the salinity of the water changes constantly over the tidal cycle. To survive in these conditions, plants and animals living in estuaries have developed adaptations to respond quickly to drastic changes in salinity.
Mangrove trees have become specialized to survive in the extreme conditions of estuaries. Two key adaptations they have are the ability to survive in waterlogged and anoxic (no oxygen) soil, and the ability to tolerate brackish waters.
Some mangroves remove salt from brackish estuarine waters through ultra-filtration in their roots. Other species have special glands on their leaves that actively secrete salt, a process that leaves visible salt crystals on the upper surface of the leaves.
Answers & Comments
Explanation:
In almost all estuaries, the salinity of the water changes constantly over the tidal cycle. To survive in these conditions, plants and animals living in estuaries have developed adaptations to respond quickly to drastic changes in salinity.
Answer:
Mangrove trees have become specialized to survive in the extreme conditions of estuaries. Two key adaptations they have are the ability to survive in waterlogged and anoxic (no oxygen) soil, and the ability to tolerate brackish waters.
Some mangroves remove salt from brackish estuarine waters through ultra-filtration in their roots. Other species have special glands on their leaves that actively secrete salt, a process that leaves visible salt crystals on the upper surface of the leaves.