Find the connections between these concepts
Concept MapsA concept map helps us see the connections between words and concepts, you can present a concept map as a web, a tree, in circles, any way you would like. A concept map is a form of creative self expression. The shoreline of most continents is naturally lined with a network of plants and animals. We see coral reef and mangroves, coral reef systems are where about 75% of tropical fish begin their lives. Here we find starfish, sea sponges, turtles, a huge variety of sea creatures. Coral are a symbiotic relationship between an type of algae named zooxanthellae and a type of animal, calcite is secreted by the animal to make the coral reef structures that we see, the algae gives coral the color that we see and when there is coral bleaching it means that the symbiote algae has left the coral. Beautiful sites such as coral reefs are valuable for ecotourism and scuba diving. Many coral species glow thanks to green fluorescent protein (GFP), this protein is used as a biomarker in biomedical research. As the ocean transitions into the land we see mangroves, these trees have large roots that essentially hold the coastline in place, they dig deep into the earth and absorb more carbon dioxide than most trees making them a carbon sink. Mangroves are threatened by deforestation and shrimp farming. Natural habitats are homes to thousands of creatures and slow down erosion, especially during complex weather patterns that cause storms like El Niño. These trees live in salt water and create a brackish environment where organisms that like semi-salty water can live. Many animals that live in these environments have amazing regenerating abilities, many salamanders live in brackish water. A type of salamander that lives in brackish water but not on the coast is the Axolotl, they are only found in lake Texcoco in Mexico where a saltwater spring makes the water salty. Axolotls have helped us learn more about stem cells because they are able to regenerate any body part, this research has contributed to stem cell therapy for humans. Shorelines and COasts of the Continents Coral Reefs live along the edges of continents So do Mangroves What is coral?Coral is a symbiotic relationship between a polyp which is a type of animal and an algae called zooxanthellae. The polyp secretes calcite and builds the coral reef.  Coral Reef Health  In warmer water the zooxanthellae leave the polyp and this causes coral bleaching. Bleached corals are at risk of dying because the algae photosynthesizes and gives the polyp sugars that help it survive.   Coral Restoration Effortscorals glow using Green Fluorescent ProteinStarfish live in the same area and have been known to REGENERATE parts of their bodyThis diverse ocean ecosystem neighbors the Mangroves Mangrove roots are large and prevent erosion   Mangrove ecosystems are destroyed for shrimp farming Mangrove trees are a powerful carbon sink, they take in large amounts of co2 and hold it in their roots and branches, parts of living matter are called biomass We call this biosequestration Biosequestration is the process of capturing and storing carbon in living organisms such as plants and algae  Blue carbon is the term for carbon captured by the world's ocean and coastal ecosystems. Natural Weather Patterns lead to Land ErosionMangroves produce oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide, and reduce erosion Mangroves are able to live in salt water and secrete salt through their leaves Saltwater dehydrates most roots through osmosis but mangroves are able to live in it Specialized glands remove excess salt and create brackish water, semi-salty water, where many creatures can thrive such as frogs and salamanders Saltwater can travel underground and go to lakes through springs  Axolotls live in Brackish water that is not on the coast  Axolotls are salamanders that are known for tissue regenerationThey Help us develop biomedical advances through stem cell research 
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Author: Jazmin GannonA place to grow Archives
February 2020
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Theo Crazzolara
