Mangrove Distribution
Distribution
Mangroves are a critical forest ecosystem, dominating coastlines in tropical and subtropical
regions of the globe. There are 54-75 species of true mangroves, which are found only in
the intertidal zones of coasts, and are taxonomically isolated from terrestrial counterparts.
They are highly adapted to their environment, capable of excluding or expelling salt,
allowing mangroves to thrive in highly saline waters and soils. Salinity can still limit the
distribution of mangroves, however, as can other environmental factors such as climate,
tidal fluctuation, and sediment and wave energy. Mangroves are found worldwide, but the
greatest species diversity is in Southeast Asia, with only twelve species inhabiting New
World countries, and only four of those are found in the United States along the southern
coast.
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By
Jennifer Kennedy
Updated January 27, 2019
Their unusual, dangling roots make mangroves look like trees on stilts. The term
mangrove can be used to refer to certain species of trees or shrubs, a habitat or a
swamp. This article focuses on the definition of mangroves and mangrove
swamps, where mangroves are located and marine species you can find in
mangroves.
What Is a Mangrove?
Mangrove plants are halophytic (salt-tolerant) plant species, of which there are
more than 12 families and 80 species worldwide. A collection of mangrove trees
in an area makes up a mangrove habitat, mangrove swamp or mangrove forest.
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Mangrove trees have a tangle of roots which are often exposed above water,
leading to the nickname “walking trees.”
Where Are Mangrove Swamps?
Mangrove trees grow in intertidal or estuarine areas. They are found in warmer
areas between the latitudes of 32 degrees north and 38 degrees south, as they
need to live in areas where the average annual temperature is above 66 degrees
Fahrenheit.
It is thought that mangroves were originally found in southeast Asia, but have
been disbursed around the world and are now found along the tropical and
subtropical coasts of Africa, Australia, Asia, and North and South America. In the
U.S., mangroves are commonly found in Florida.
Mangrove Adaptations
The roots of mangrove plants are adapted to filter salt water, and their leaves can
excrete salt, allowing them to survive where other land plants cannot. Leaves that
fall off the trees provide food for inhabitants and breakdown to provide nutrients
to the habitat.
Why Are Mangroves Important?
Mangroves are an important habitat. These areas provide food, shelter and
nursery areas for fish, birds, crustaceans and other marine life. They also provide
a source of livelihood for many humans around the world, including wood for
fuel, charcoal and timber and areas for fishing. Mangroves also form a buffer that
defends coastlines from flooding and erosion.
What Marine Life Are Found in Mangroves?
Many types of marine and terrestrial life utilize mangroves. Animals inhabit the
mangrove’s leafy canopy and waters underneath the mangrove’s root system and
live in nearby tidal waters and mudflats.
In the U.S., larger species found in mangroves include reptiles such as the
American crocodile and American alligator; sea turtles including
the hawksbill, Ridley, green and loggerhead; fish such as snapper, tarpon, jack,
sheepshead, and red drum; crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs; and coastal
and migratory birds such as pelicans, spoonbills and bald eagles. In addition,
less-visible species such as insects and crustaceans live among the roots and
branches of the mangrove plants.
Threats to Mangroves:
Natural threats to mangroves include hurricanes, root clogging from
increased water turbidity, and damage from boring organisms and
parasites.
Human impacts on mangroves have been severe in some places, and
include dredging, filling, diking, oil spills, and runoff of human waste and
herbicides. Some coastal development results in total loss of habitat.
Conservation of mangroves is important for the survival of mangrove species,
humans and also for the survival of two other habitats – coral reefs and seagrass
beds.
References and Further Information:
American Museum of Natural History. What Is a Mangrove? And How
Does it Work?. Accessed June 30, 2015.
Coulombe, D. A. 1984. The Seaside Naturalist. Simon & Schuster. 246pp.
Law, Beverly E. and Nancy P. Arny. “Mangroves-Florida’s Coastal Trees”.
University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved online
October 17, 2008 (as of August 2010, the document appears to no longer be
online).
Cite this Article
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