Mangrove Forest

mangrove forest
Mangrove forest subject to tidal flood of saltwater in Tumbes, Peru. Photo: Alfredo Begazoa.

Mangrove Forest

A stand of mangrove may have the appearance of scrub or a relatively short forest formation that occurs at the edges of salt or brackish bodies of water. Mangroves species are salt-tolerant and have evolved in harsh conditions of being permanently or occasionally flooded. Mangrove species have a salt filtration and root system that enable them to survive in some cases permanent saltwater immersion and wave action. Mangrove trees are adapted to the low oxygen (anoxic) conditions of waterlogged mud.

Mangrove forests occur in coastal lagoons, estuaries, and rivers along the Pacific coast from Sonora Mexico south to Tumbes Peru. On the Atlantic coast, Mangrove forests occur from Florida in the United States and the Caribbean Islands and Tamaulipas Mexico south to southeastern Brazil.

mangrove forest
Interior view of a root system in a mangrove forest. Photo: Victor Gamarra.

Species of mangrove vary in their tolerance of flooding. The most widespread red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle, R. racemosa, and R. harrissi) typically colonize standing water nearest the sea. Black mangroves (Avicennia germinans, A. nitida, and A. tomentosa, Laguncularia racemosa) grow in periodically flooded water.

A typical mangrove forest ranges between 4-9 meters in height, but in some areas, they have closed canopies of up to 20-25 meters. Stilt roots and branches often form impenetrable tangles.

mangrove forest
Isolated patches of mangrove growing in semi-permanent saltwater.


References:

  • Coastal Mangrove-Marsh Shrubland” (PDF). Conservation Habitats & Species Assessments. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. December 2005.
  • Mangroves of Mexico. Biodiversidad.gob.mx.