Mangroves are taxonomically diverse due to convergent evolution in several plant families. They occur worldwide in the tropics and subtropics and even some temperate coastal areas, mainly between latitudes 30° N and 30° S, with the greatest mangrove area within 5° of the equator.

Mangrove forests, also called mangrove swamps, mangrove thickets or mangals, are productive wetlands that occur in coastal intertidal zones. [1][2] Mangrove forests grow mainly at tropical and subtropical latitudes because mangrove trees cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Mar 28, 2025 · Mangrove, any of certain shrubs and trees that grow in dense thickets or forests along tidal estuaries, in salt marshes, and on muddy coasts and that characteristically have prop roots—i.e., exposed supporting roots. The term ‘mangrove’ also applies to …

What are mangroves? Mangroves are tropical trees that thrive in conditions most timber could never tolerate — salty, coastal waters, and the interminable ebb and flow of the tide. With the ability to store vast amounts of carbon, mangrove forests are key weapons in the fight against climate change, but they are under threat worldwide.

Nov 13, 2019 · A mangrove is a type of coastal tree that can live in harsh saltwater environments. When there are many mangroves living together, it’s called a mangrove forest. Florida alone has 469,000 acres of mangrove forest, making it a staple ecosystem of coastal zones.

Mangroves grow in sheltered tropical and subtropical coastal areas across the globe. In general, this is an area between latitudes of 25 degrees north and 25 degrees south, however, geographical limits are highly variable depending upon the area of the world and local climates.

Mangroves have unique adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh and saline environments. There are approximately 80 different species of mangroves, which belong to various families, such as Rhizophoraceae, Acanthaceae, Lythraceae, Combretaceae, and Arecaceae.

Jan 20, 2025 · Mangroves provide protection against storms, erosion and flooding, sources of food and timber, improved water quality and carbon sequestration.

Apr 20, 2021 · It is estimated that mangrove forests cover a total area of 53,200 square miles spread across 118 countries globally. There are about 110 species considered to be mangroves in the sense that they grow in saline swamps but only a few being from the genus Rhizophora of true mangroves.

Jan 25, 2025 · Several national and international organizations are taking steps to protect and restore their natural mangrove heritage. Let’s explore the current state of mangrove ecosystems across the globe.