Important Facts about Mangroves

Important Facts about Mangroves

Mangroves are tropical plants that are adapted to loose, wet soils, salt water, and being periodically submerged by tides. There are more than 50 species of mangroves found throughout the world. Three species of “true” mangroves are native to Florida: Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa).

What factors limit the distribution of mangroves?

1. Climate: mangroves are a tropical species intolerant of freezing temperatures.
2. Salinity: salt water is not a requirement for growth; however freshwater development is limited by competition.
3. Tidal fluctuation: mangroves rely on tides as a means with which they can spread seeds, fruit, and propagules. In addition, tides transport sediment, nutrients, and clean water into the mangrove.
4. Wave energy & sedimentation: mangroves grow best in areas with low wave energy. High waves prevent propagule establishment, expose the shallow root system, and prevent accumulation of sediments.

Why should we value mangroves? Mangroves play key roles as:

Nutrient filter: Mangroves assist in protecting water quality and clarity by filtering runoff and trapping sediments and debris from adjacent uplands. Mangroves trap and cycle various organic materials, chemical elements, and important nutrients in the coastal ecosystem that would otherwise make it out to the seagrass beds and coral reefs where they can cause significant harm.

Habitat: Mangroves provide physical habitat and nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine organisms, many of which have important recreational or commercial value. In addition, many threatened or endangered species reside in mangrove forests. Mangroves also serve as roosting and nesting sites for many of native and migratory birds. Areas where widespread destruction of mangrove has occurred usually experience a decline in fisheries.

Food source: Mangroves provide one of the basic food chain resources for marine organisms. Leaves of mangroves fall into the water where they are consumed by detritivores (animals that consume decaying organic matter), that are in turn eaten by fish and other organisms that feed upon them.

Sediment stabilizers: Not only are mangroves a significant contributor to sediment production through the decomposition of their leaf matter, called “detritus”, they also serve as storm buffers by reducing wind and wave action in shallow shoreline areas.

For more information on mangroves, please visit:

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)