Physiological adaptations
Plant adaptations
Mangroves have shallow root penetration and breathing roots because their soils are saturated and airless. Mangroves also have broad support structures, such as sturdy prop roots, because the soils are often soft. Like freshwater swamp trees, mangroves also cope with water-saturated soils that limit gaseous exchange, by using special breathing roots. Some have shallow, sub-surface cable roots with many vertical, finger-like breathing roots, called pneumatophores. this is not unique just to this specific species, many of the other plants have this quality.
Animal adaptations
Oysters can live in the brackish waters of estuaries by adapting their behavior to the changing environment. During low tides when they are exposed to low-salinity water, oysters close up their shells and stop feeding. whilst in their shells oysters switch from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration, which does not require oxygen. Many hours later, when the high tides return and the salinity and oxygen levels in the water are higher, the oysters open their shells and return to feeding and breathing oxygen. this is unique to animals that are like oysters and have shells that they can hide in.
Mangroves have shallow root penetration and breathing roots because their soils are saturated and airless. Mangroves also have broad support structures, such as sturdy prop roots, because the soils are often soft. Like freshwater swamp trees, mangroves also cope with water-saturated soils that limit gaseous exchange, by using special breathing roots. Some have shallow, sub-surface cable roots with many vertical, finger-like breathing roots, called pneumatophores. this is not unique just to this specific species, many of the other plants have this quality.
Animal adaptations
Oysters can live in the brackish waters of estuaries by adapting their behavior to the changing environment. During low tides when they are exposed to low-salinity water, oysters close up their shells and stop feeding. whilst in their shells oysters switch from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration, which does not require oxygen. Many hours later, when the high tides return and the salinity and oxygen levels in the water are higher, the oysters open their shells and return to feeding and breathing oxygen. this is unique to animals that are like oysters and have shells that they can hide in.