Red, red, pointy head; black, black, salt on back; white, white, bolts on tight! These rhymes help spot and identify red, black, and white mangroves in Florida. These salt-adapted trees capture much of the energy that drives marine communities and provide habitat to many creatures. In this course, we’ll investigate this muddy habitat, discovering mangroves' specialized adaptations. Get ready to sink into the stinky mud, snorkel near the roots, and lay down with the fiddler crabs! We’ll examine their critical role in coastal resilience, erosion prevention, and nurturing marine life to develop a clear understanding of the interconnectedness between mangroves and the broader ecosystem. From invertebrates and reptiles to birds and marine mammals, the course highlights the rich biodiversity that relies on mangroves for sustenance and shelter. Low tide is calling. Mangroves, here we come!
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