Environment

What is it? Seagrasses are flowering plants that grow submerged in shallow marine waters like bays and lagoons. They are so-named because most species have long green, grass-like leaves. Seagrasses have roots, stems, and leaves and produce flowers and seeds. … Continue reading →

What is it? Corals are calcareous rocks, formed from the skeletons of minute sea animals, called polyps. The polyps extract calcium salts from seawater to form hard skeletons which protect their soft bodies. The corals live in colonies fastened to … Continue reading →

What is it? An estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers and streams meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean. Types of  Estuary Coastal Plain Estuaries: Formed by rising sea levels flooding river valleys, such as the … Continue reading →

What is it? Mangroves are small trees and shrubs which grow along the coastlines. These trees thrive in salty water and form unique forests on the edge of land and the sea. They also grow in swamps. Mangrove forests can … Continue reading →

What is it? Marshlands are a type of wetland characterized by the presence of herbaceous (non-woody) plants such as grasses, reeds, sedges, and rushes. Unlike swamps, which are dominated by trees, marshes are open areas that are periodically or continuously … Continue reading →

What is it? Wetlands are defined as: “lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water”. Types of Wetlands Marshes: Wetlands dominated by … Continue reading →

What is it? An algal bloom refers to the rapid and excessive growth of algae in water bodies, often resulting from high concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Causes Nutrient enrichment (eutrophication): Excess fertilizers, sewage discharge, and industrial … Continue reading →

What is it? Eutrophication refers to the excessive enrichment of water bodies (such as lakes, rivers, and coastal waters) with nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants. Causes Natural Causes Natural weathering of … Continue reading →

What is it? Aquatic ecosystems refer to plant and animal communities occurring in water bodies. Classification  Freshwater Ecosystems: Land water which is continuously cycling and has low salt content (always less than 5 ppt), is known as fresh water. There … Continue reading →

What is it? A terrestrial ecosystem (TE) is a land-based community of organisms (biotic) and their interactions with the abiotic components in a given area. Factors Affecting Terrestrial Ecosystem  Altitude: Higher altitudes are associated with cooler temperatures. They lead to … Continue reading →