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Mangroves are found along tropical and subtropical coasts of Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

The closest mangroves to us are in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, the Caribbean and Central America. The

four species in the Americas are red mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove and buttonwood. You

can read about a research trip by Aquarium scientists to mangroves in Belizehereandhere.

Mangroves thrive in intertidal zones of sheltered shores, islands and estuaries. They grow in soft

shoreline sediment and have specialized root structures that increase their stability. They can grow in

soils that are too salty for other plant species because some species have specialized root membranes

that exclude salt and some species excrete salt from glands on each leaf.

Why are mangroves important?

For shoreline protection: Complicated networks of mangrove roots absorb pollutants and prevent coastal

erosion. Seagrass beds and coral reefs depend on mangroves to maintain water quality and clarity. In

areas prone to hurricanes and tsunamis, mangroves save human lives and property by reducing wave

velocity by up to 75 percent.

For habitat: Many birds, fishes, reptiles, mammals and invertebrates use mangroves for foraging, roosting

and breeding. One study has suggested that up to 80 percent of commercial fish in South Florida beganin mangrove nurseries. In addition, many species of sharks, some similar to those in our touch tank,

spend their early years among the safety of mangrove roots.

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Climate change: Mangroves are carbon sinks and play an important part in the global climate by

absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Mangroves are also carbon sources. When disturbed, the

soils in which mangroves grow can release carbon back into the atmosphere.

Threats to mangroves

In addition to naturally-occurring disturbances like storms and flooding, mangroves throughout the world

are threatened by human activities. According to the United Nations, 20 percent of the worlds mangroves

have been destroyed since 1980. Here are some of the causes:

Habitat loss/coastal development: As coastal human populations increase, mangroves are cut down to

make room for urban expansion. In many countries, mangroves are considered wastelands and

sacrificed for new residential areas, coastal resorts, roads and canals.

Seafood aquaculture: Mangroves are converted to artificial shrimp ponds to meet world shrimp demand.

Often large and unregulated, these ponds displace native species and release large quantities of animal

waste into surrounding areas.

Pollution: Herbicides and other pollutants damage plant and animal species. Oil spills coat mangrove

prop roots and prevent oxygen uptake as well as negatively affect birds, sea turtles and other animals.