Lesson: Mangroves
Class:
Oceanography
Grade Level:
Fifth
· Virtual
Mangrove Tour at the Smithsonian Institution.
· Mangrove Predators
by BBC One
o
© 2011 BBC One and Blue Planet
· Mangrove
Biology Worksheet by National Geographic.
o
©2010 National Geographic Society
· Layers
of Life image by National Geographic.
o
©2011 National Geographic Society
· Mangrove
Ecosystem coloring page by National Geographic.
o
© 1996–2014 National Geographic Society
· Differences between Red, Black, and White
Mangroves by the Nature
Foundation of St. Maarten.
o
© 2009 Nature Foundation St. Maarten
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn the different features of a Mangrove forest including the
three types of mangrove trees found in our geographic area. Students will also learn
about mangrove fish nurseries and some of the major threats mangroves are subject to including human and natural
habitat destruction/pollution.
Time Allotment: 1 week (4 hours in class & 2 hours in the field (and/or virtual tour))
Activities (edited from
National
Geographic Education website):
1. Build background on mangrove ecology.
Explain to students that the tropics are a climate region
generally found between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of
Capricorn. There are 70 species of mangroves that live in the tropics and also
the subtropics. Explain to students that the subtropics are a climate region
found north of the Tropic of Cancer and south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The
subtropics are between 20-40 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
There are three primary species of mangroves that live in the tropics
and subtropics in the United States. Distribute copies of the handout
Mangrove Biology to each student and have students read it independently or in
small groups. Use the images to point out the different features of the
red, white, and black mangrove trees that live in the tropical and subtropical regions
of the world.
Post the Layers of Life pdf to show how mangroves fit
into the coastal ecosystem. Watch the Mangrove Predators BBC One Blue Planet Clip on the BBC One website and the longer clip on Mangrove Nurseries in class.
2. Preteach the vocabulary.
Make sure students know the terminology for the different
parts of a mangrove tree. Write on the board the vocabulary terms listed below. Use the definitions
from the handout to help familiarize students with the terms.
Mangrove Vocabulary
List:
Anoxic
|
adjective
|
No oxygen in the environment
|
Drop Roots
|
noun
|
Roots that drop down from the branches of red mangrove trees and set
shoots into the ground
|
Ecology
|
noun
|
The study of the environment and its related communities. Eqios = the
home, ology = the study of; "the study of the home"
|
Lenticel
|
noun
|
A small opening on the exposed roots of a tree that allows the plant
to take in air to send to the rest of the root system
|
Pneumatophore
|
noun
|
The snorkel root of a tree
|
Prop Roots
|
noun
|
Roots of the red mangrove that keep the trunk of the mangrove out of
the salt water
|
Salt Excluder
|
noun
|
An organism that will not let salt enter into itself
|
Salt Excreter
|
noun
|
When an organism pushes salt out through its pores
|
Sediment
|
noun
|
Underwater soil
|
Substrate
|
noun
|
Underlayer; something to hold on to or attach to
|
Oil Spill Cleanup
Vocabulary List:
Boom
|
noun
|
An oil containment device that floats on the surface of the water and
is used as a barrier to keep oil in or out of a specific location
|
Dispersants
|
noun
|
Chemicals that are sprayed on oil to cause it to break up and sink
|
Skimmers
|
noun
|
Skimmers use a floating boom system to sweep oil across the water
surface, concentrating the oil to make the skimming process more effective
and efficient.
|
3. Discuss the
difference between Mangrove types.
- Students will discuss the differences between Red, Black, and White Mangroves as described by the Nature Foundation of St. Maarten. Have students color the Mangrove Ecosystem Worksheet and write in the vocabulary terms where appropriate.
Students may review the following online sites for more information (no issues should arise with this research as the pages do not have any specialized software requirements).
NOAA: http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/abouthabitat/mangroves.html
Smithsonian Ocean Portal: http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life-ecosystems/mangrove-forests
Environmental Protection Agency: http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/mangrove.cfm
World Wildlife Fund:
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/mangroves/mangrove_ecosystems/
National Parks Service: http://www.nps.gov/ever/naturescience/mangroves.htm
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove
- Hand out the Two-column chart. Have students write down Human-created problems in one column and Nature-created problems in the second column.
- Hand out the Three-column chart. Have students write down the key biological differences between Red, Black, and White Mangroves.
4. Create flash cards
Have students work together to create flashcards on mangroves, the ecosystem, and issues related to damage of the mangroves. Students can photocopy and laminate cards so everyone has a set.
5. Class Trip.
Students unable to attend the in-class tour will explore the Virtual Mangrove Tour while the in-class program will go visit a local Mangrove forest and discuss the differences in person.
Mangrove pictures from class trip:
 |
| Black mangroves (tall); White mangroves (short) |
 |
| Black mangroves leaves (back); White mangrove leaves (front) |
 |
| Black mangroves |
 |
| Black mangrove leaves with salt |
 |
| Red mangroves with prop roots |
 |
| Red mangrove seeds (Propagules) |
 |
| White mangrove |
 |
| White mangrove seeds |
Videos from class trip:
6a. Assessment 1 (on-line)-Mangrove Forest Quiz
Students will take the 5 question multiple choice quiz on QuizWorks as a mini-self assessment.
6b. Assessment 2 (in class)-Bulletin Board Task
The mangrove roots hold the soft ground together and prevent erosion.
The roots help to keep the water clean and provide habitat for animals.
They provide nursery space for small animals.
Many living things (including people) use them to find food such as fish, shrimp, and clams.
7b. Extra: Things you can do to help protect mangrove habitats:
Walk on the boardwalk if there is one.
Do not let rubbish get washed down storm drains and into rivers.
Do not pour oil down the sink or drain.
Talk about mangrove habitats with friends and family.
Students will take the 5 question multiple choice quiz on QuizWorks as a mini-self assessment.
6b. Assessment 2 (in class)-Bulletin Board Task
Students will be broken up into three groups and each given one of the types of mangroves (black, white, red) to create a bulletin board of showcasing the types of plants, animals, and issues found in each. Students will use the internet and books from the library to research the three main types (see above #3).
At the end of the project, students will present their boards to the class describing some of the key features of their mangrove.
7a. Extra: Why are mangrove habitats important?At the end of the project, students will present their boards to the class describing some of the key features of their mangrove.
 |
| example found on pintrest |
The mangrove roots hold the soft ground together and prevent erosion.
The roots help to keep the water clean and provide habitat for animals.
They provide nursery space for small animals.
Many living things (including people) use them to find food such as fish, shrimp, and clams.
7b. Extra: Things you can do to help protect mangrove habitats:
Walk on the boardwalk if there is one.
Do not let rubbish get washed down storm drains and into rivers.
Do not pour oil down the sink or drain.
Talk about mangrove habitats with friends and family.
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