marshes | mangrove Scroll down to read detailed information
about mangrove forests Mangrove forests or mangals grow at
tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator where the
sea surface temperatures never fall below 16°C. Mangals line
about two-thirds of the coastlines in tropical areas of the
world. There are about 80 species of mangrove trees, all of
which grow in hypoxic (oxygen poor) soils where slow-moving
waters allow fine sediments to accumulate (Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, 2000). Many mangrove forests can be
recognized by their dense tangle of prop roots that make the
trees appear to be standing on stilts above the water. This
tangle of roots helps to slow the movement of tidal waters,
causing even more sediments to settle out of the water and build
up the muddy bottom. Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline,
reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves and tides.
Just like the high and low areas of salt marshes where specific
types of grasses are found, mangals hav