Qeshm Mangrove forests - UNESCO Global Geopark

 forest, landscape, UNESCO biosphere reserve, nature conservation park / area, mangrove, geophysical surveyor

unesco video :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CruB85OmCgQ
Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark is an island shaped like a dolphin in the Strait of Hormuz, off the southern coast of Iran. Its exposed geological formations have been shaped by erosion generating a range of spectacular landscapes and beautiful rock deserts. Its preservation is supported by green tourism activities managed by local communities. Qeshm Island is one of eight new UNESCO Global Geopark designated this year.
site :
www.mehrnews.com/news/3970786/%DA%98%D8%A6%D9%88%D9%BE%...
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video :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Bh6pyOIwI

www.iranreview.org/content/Documents/First_Internationa...

www.iew.ir/1391/06/16/1731
www.irandeserts.com/content/%D8%AF%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Geoparks
qeshmgeopark.ir/en/geosites/view/23

The Unique Ecosystem of Harra
The Harra forest is a mangrove forest that is only found in coastal areas in tropical regions. Athigh tide, the tree coverage may only be seen above the water level (salt water), while the rest ofthe tree parts are underneath the water. Only at low tide, one can see the trunk and aerial roots ofmangroves. Mangrove forests can easily grow in salt water. Mangroves may have been floweringplants that were pushed to their limits due to lack of capacity in competing with other terrestrialplants. They have then adapted to the difficult conditions of the intertidal zone, which has formedthis unique ecosystem.


High and low-tide in Mangroves

High and low-tide have been critical in shaping the mangrove forests and its related biodiversity.Mangrove forests host a variety of water birds,which, at low tide feed on the muddy intertidalzone. In fact, each bird species is well adaptedto feed on very specific organisms that live atcertain depths in salt water or the mud.


Fighting salinity

In general mangroves can’t use sea water,because the salt that enters the plant throughthe sea water, after evaporation of water fromthe surface of the leaf , will form a salt solutionin the leafs. To address this issue, the rootsof mangroves act as a goal-oriented filter, andallow distilled water to pass through them,preventing the salt to enter. Only minimallevels of salt that are necessary for normal cellfunctions may enter the plant and get stockedin the leaf cells. Leafs with too much salt fall,and in this way, the salt is eliminated. Anothermechanism to eliminate the salt is the glandsthat are located underneath the leafs.