Mangrove Ecology

Healthy mangrove forests are key to a healthy marine ecology. Fallen leaves and branches from mangroves contribute to the forest detritus and provide nutrients for the marine environment. Intricate food webs of immense varieties of sea life are supported directly through this detritus.

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,