Cambridge International A Level · Marine Science (9693)

The mangrove forest: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on The mangrove forest.

10 questions31 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

Which adaptation of the red mangrove tree, Rhizophora mangle, allows it to survive in anaerobic, waterlogged mud while maintaining physical stability in a tidal environment?

Question 2

1 mark

The red mangrove tree, Rhizophora mangle, exhibits viviparous reproduction. What is the primary biological advantage of this reproductive strategy in a tidal ecosystem?

Question 3

1 mark

Mangrove forests are often described as protective barriers for offshore coral reefs and seagrass beds. How do mangroves primarily prevent the degradation of these sensitive reef systems?

Question 4

1 mark

A conservation project aims to restore a coastline by replanting Rhizophora mangle. Which combination of abiotic factors would provide the most suitable environment for the successful establishment of this ecosystem?

Question 5

1 mark

Which of the following describes the most significant long-term threat to the biodiversity and nursery function of a mangrove forest caused by human-induced changes in coastal land use?

Question 6

3 marks

State three physical conditions required for the successful formation of a mangrove forest along a coastline.

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Question 7

5 marks

Explain the physiological mechanism by which prop roots in red mangroves facilitate gas exchange despite being submerged in anoxic, muddy substrates.

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Question 8

5 marks

Explain how viviparous reproduction in the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, provides a competitive advantage for colonization in tidal environments.

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Question 9

7 marks

(a) Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) have evolved specialized prop roots. Explain how these structures enable the tree to survive in both anaerobic sediments and unstable substrates.
(b) Describe the process of viviparity in mangroves and explain its survival advantage in a tidal environment.
(c) Explain how the root system of a mangrove forest protects adjacent ecosystems, such as tropical coral reefs, from sedimentation.

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Question 10

6 marks

(a) Compare the conditions required for the formation of a mangrove forest with those required for a tropical coral reef.
(b) Discuss the economic importance of mangrove forests to human coastal communities, providing three distinct examples.
(c) Explain how climate change leads to the threat of storm damage in mangrove ecosystems.

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