Mangrove Forest

• What?• Halophyte – plants that grow naturally in an

‘saline’ environment• Where?• Along the tropical coastal areas, include:i. Southeast Asiaii. Australiaiii. West Africa• Distributed along a low-lying, sheltered coast

with muddy and waterlogged ground.

i. Southeast Asia

ii. Australia

iii. West Africa

Structure of the Forest

• Has NO distinct layering.• Most of the trees = uniform height.• saltwater swamp: grow near the

coast.• Less tolerant of salt (freshwater

swamp): grow further inland.

Main Mangrove communities

• Avicennia trees• Sonneratia trees• Rhizophora trees• Bruguiera trees

• Evergreen hardwoods

Bruguiera trees

Rhizophora

Tree Characteristics

a. Leaves• Broad leaves with leathery texture:• To prevent the loss of moisture through

transpiration.• Drip tips to enable rainwater to flow

quickly off the leaves.• Some trees have leaves which contain

special salt glands to give off salt.• Some trees store the excess salt in their

older leaves – will drop off.

b. Rootsi. Buttress rootsii. Prop rootsiii. Aerial roots• Help trees to take in oxygen directly

from the atmosphereiv. Pencil-like roots• Jut out of the muddy ground• Enable trees to take in oxygen from the

atmosphere directly.

Trees anchor firmly on the muddy, waterlogged ground