Grade Level: 9-12

During this lesson, students will use observation and inquiry to deduce the functions of the leaves, roots and propagules found on the red, black and white mangroves.  The unique mangrove structures and adaptations will aid students in visualizing “form fits function.”  In order to deepen understanding, students will observe and analyze a chosen local tree in a similar fashion.  After this lesson, students will have stronger knowledge of plant organs and physiological processes as well as mangrove ecology in general. 

Includes two videos (Intro to Mangrove Structure and Mangrove Ecology), lesson plan, and blank data table.

** This lesson plan would work well as a post-MarineLab activity for high school groups that visited MarineLab in person and participated in our Mangrove Ecology program**