Appendix 1
Reading to Learn
4A ‧ Ch.4 Animals, Plants and the Environment ‧ p.37
Into the Mangrove Wetlands
香港資訊 Science for You
Have you ever been to Mai Po Nature Reserve? It is a piece of wetland where water and land meet. You can find mangroves there. Mangroves are called ‘red trees’ in Chinese as one of their species, Many-petaled Mangroves, contains a substance which can be used as red dye. The conditions of wetlands often change. For example, wetlands are flooded at high tides, and the soil is soft and salty. Therefore, mangroves in wetlands have special features to help them adapt to the environment.
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The plants can get rid of extra salt through the leaves.
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The seeds of mangroves start to sprout when they are still on the plant. When they are mature, they fall and grow quickly in the unstable soil to increase the chances of survival. As the seedling looks like a pen, the plant is called 'water pen' in Chinese.
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The prop roots help hold the tree up in the soft muddy soil so that the tree can resist the tides and grow steadily.
mangrove forests
Many interesting animals live in mangrove forests. There is a lot of food in mangroves and the environment is diverse, which makes it suitable for different kinds of animals to find food, live in and reproduce. 6 5
The fins under its chest are well-developed. They are strong and bend forward. These help it jump and crawl in the mud.
Male crabs have a large claw to protect their territories and attract female crabs. They also have a small claw for eating.
mudskipper
fiddler crab
Source: World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong
Let’s Think
1. What is special about mangroves that make them able to adapt to the environment of wetlands? Give an example. 2. How do the animals in mangrove forests adapt to the environment? Give an example.
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