Mangrove trees have specialized roots called pneumatophores, which act as snorkels to supply oxygen in waterlogged, low-oxygen soils.
These specialized roots grow vertically above the soil surface, allowing mangrove trees to access atmospheric oxygen and transport it to submerged roots that are immersed in water with low oxygen content.
The pneumatophores are equipped with lenticels, small pores that facilitate gas exchange.
Through this adaptation, mangroves can thrive in coastal habitats with fluctuating salinity and low soil oxygen, ensuring that their root systems remain oxygenated even in the anoxic conditions of tidal mudflats or mangrove swamps.
This unique mechanism helps support the survival of mangrove ecosystems, which are critical for coastal protection and biodiversity.
Research on pneumatophores has important implications for both ecological studies and potential human applications, particularly in the fields of environmental conservation, bioengineering, and sustainable agriculture.
#biodiversity #wetland #oxygen