Mangroves

Mangrove forests are found in the intertidal zone between the average sea level and the high tide mark in estuaries, bays and coastal areas.

Mangroves are marine plants and are subject to varying levels of salinity (salt levels), as they are flushed by sea water at high tide, by freshwater at low tide and during storm events and flooding.

Because of such constant inundation, the soils that mangroves grow in are:

• low in oxygen, making it difficult for plants to breathe through their roots
• muddy and soft, thereby offering little structural support for the mangrove trees.

These limitations of the mangrove's environment, mean that mangroves have to possess some unique adaptations.

For more information see the Field Guide to the Mangroves of Queensland and The Mangrove Environment

• The threats to mangroves
• Mangrove adaptations to their environment
• Where you can find mangroves
• Identification of mangroves
• Why protect our mangroves?
• How we can protect our mangroves
• References
• Links