A Sinking Feeling

Looking at mangrove saltwater systems and arctic freshwater systems to compare the similarities and differences between the ecosystems.

Arctic system even though they have freshwater, are lacking in rainfall and fresh ground water as most of the precipitation is in snowfall form and not rain, so much of the water is meltwater that can be acidic. There is also water moving underground from glaciers, permafrost, and groundwater discharge. Much of the water systems in the arctic are lotic, with many peats and bogs. The constant melting and loss of these peats and bogs is releasing the carbon into the atmosphere faster than it can be recaptured by other parts of the world (Prowse et al. 2006.)

The mangrove systems are in low-lying saltwater edges of marine systems, offering safety to animals and other plants. If we could stop destroying mangroves for more beachfront property, we could retain more land by stopping erosion and these plants are a great carbon sink by holding carbon in the soil and roots. These aquatic forests are the first line of defense against wave energy in storms, keeping vital nutrients from washing away. They submerge twice a day and can take a beating from the full force of the ocean (Alongi 2014.)

These two systems are quite different, one being stagnant and the other in constant motion. One is deteriorating, melting away while the other is being actively removed for human development. Both are vital for the planet, and both need protections as they both serve important purposes in their parts of the world.

Alongi, D. M. (2014). Carbon cycling and storage in mangrove forests. Annual review of marine science, 6, 195-219.

Prowse, T. D., Wrona, F. J., Reist, J. D., Hobbie, J. E., Lévesque, L. M., & Vincent, W. F. (2006). General features of the Arctic relevant to climate change in freshwater ecosystems. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 35(7), 330-338.