mangroves

Mangal definition

coastal forested wetlands in tropical to subtropical settings

Indo West Pacific species richness

region with more than 50 mangrove species

Americas species richness

region with about 10 mangrove species

Red mangrove submergence tolerance

roots can remain submerged for 24 hours

Black mangrove submergence tolerance

roots submerged only at high tide and can survive several days without flooding

Fringe mangrove setting

protected shorelines canals rivers and lagoons

Fringe mangrove height

trees grow up to 13 m tall

Fringe mangrove organic matter

low accumulation because tidal flow removes debris

Avicennia salinity tolerance fringe

tolerates up to 59 ppt salinity

Rhizophora salinity tolerance fringe

tolerates up to 39 ppt salinity

Overwash islands

a type of fringe mangrove forest

Riverine mangrove height

trees grow up to 21 m tall

Riverine dominant species

Rhizophora with few prop roots

Riverine salinity

typically 10 to 20 ppt with seasonal flushing

Riverine productivity

high due to nutrients from watershed and tides

Basin mangrove setting

inland depressions with stagnant water

Basin mangrove height

trees grow up to 9 m tall

Basin soil conditions

highly anoxic and saline due to salt spray

Basin species composition

Avicennia and Laguncularia with many pneumatophores

Basin salinity high

Avicennia dominates above 50 ppt salinity

Basin salinity low

Laguncularia dominates at low salinity

Mixed basin forest salinity

occurs at 30 to 40 ppt salinity

Dwarf mangroves

isolated low nutrient low productivity shrubs 2 to 5 m tall

Buttonwood classification

mangrove associated species not a true mangrove

Buttonwood habitat

transition zone between mangal and upland forest

Red mangrove adaptations

prop roots and drop roots for stability and gas exchange

Black mangrove adaptations

pneumatophores 20 to 30 cm above sediment for oxygen uptake

Salt excretion black mangrove

salt pores on leaves secrete excess salt

Vivipary red mangrove

seedlings germinate on the tree before dropping

Hypocotyl dispersal

seedling floats until it contacts sediment and anchors