Assignment 1.4 - Tanjia Hossain Nabila

Assignment 1.2 - Tanjia Nabila

Building on the feedback loop, this phase focuses on the two different scenerios of the pneumatophore system: the 'before' or normal scenerio and the 'after' or high tide / coastal flooding scenerio of the mangrove and how it affects the pneumatophores. As the water sweeps in, some of the pneumatophores get submerged under water while others continue to provide the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the root network and trees, which would not have been possible without the pneumatophores. Local organisms, such as, crabs and worms, take shelter in and around the pneumatophores. 

According to the given formula in the diagram, it has been proven that the higher the density of pneumatophores in a given area, the more oxygenated the soil condition will be, which in turn reduces the toxic build-up of chemicals in the soil. 

Assignment 1.1 - Tanjia Nabila

Pneumatophores are aerial roots, usually found in tropical coastal swamps like mangroves. The trees use these protruding roots to receive extra supply of oxygen in an otherwise anaerobic condition of waterlogged soil of the mangroves. The surfaces of these roots are covered with lenticels (small pores) which absorb  oxygen and nutrients from the atmosphere into its spongy tissues. The oxygen and nutrients then get transferred through the root network and to the tree. Pneumatophores additionally contribute to sustaining life in an inhospitable condition for not only the trees, but other animals and birds alike. They also strengthen the soil by holding onto it via their widespread network system.

Mitsch, William J., and James G. Gosselink. "Chapter 11 Mangrove Swamps." Wetlands. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2000. 335-76. Print.

Watson, Donald, and Michele Adams. Design for Flooding: Architecture, Landscape, and Urban Design for Resilience to Flooding and Climate Change. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print.