GASEOUS EXCHANGE IN MANGROVE ROOTS

THEORIES
1. Westermaeir (1900) theory stated that tidal
fluctuations provided a pump system in the roots.
a. When the waves come in the root is compressed
b. When the tides get low air is allowed to pass
through roots.
Refuted by troll and dragendorff (1931) because it is
said that the aerial roots function is structural and
not for gaseous exchange.
Refuted by scholander et al (1955) because
pneumatophores are incompressible. At high tide the
gas pressure is in roots in low, which is opposite to
the theory.
2. Troll & Dragendorff (1931) theory stated that
changes in soil substrate levels would result in
changes in root heights.
a. But it was refuted because: roots make up was
too elaborate to be just for the change of level of
rocks, etc in the soil.
b. In the mangrove system, soil/ sediment level
change is rare.
c. The same types of pneomatophores are
developed in swamps which show little
sedimentation, therefore the height change
cannot be due to sediment level change.
d. Terrestrial plants adjust/ adapt to sediment
changes without developing root systems like
that of mangroves.
3. Scholander et al. (1955 ) which states that G.E.
happen absed on pp of gases within roots.