THE MANGROVE
SWAMPS
BY RACHEL JACKSON
LOCATION
Mangrove swamps are
coastal wetlands found in
tropical and subtropical
regions. These wetlands are
often found in estuaries,
where fresh water meets
salt water. In North
America, they are found
from the southern tip of
Florida along the Gulf
Coast to Texas. Florida's
southwest coast supports
one of the largest
mangrove swamps in the
world.
PRECIPITATION
The precipitation
averages annually
about 4.5 meters. During
the rainy season when
most of the rain falls the
salinity (salt) decreases
greatly because the rain
washes it away.
TEMPUTATURE
Tidal Mangrove
Swamps are found to
grow best in
temperatures 66
degrees F or higher. If
the temperature
fluctuates more than
40 degrees F in a short
period of time the
mangroves can not
survive either.
AMOUNT OF LIGHT
• The amount of light in
the mangrove
swamps are different
because the mudflat
is exposed to sunlight
whereas the land in
the mangrove
swamps are not
exposed to sunlight
due to the big
mangrove leaves,
giving a shade.
AIR QUALITY AND SALINITY
• One of the biggest challenges is the
salinity, or the amount of salt in the
water. The water in a mangrove swamp
is so salty it would kill most plants. But
the roots of red mangroves contain a
waxy substance that helps keep salt
out. Lack of oxygen is also a huge
challenge in mangrove forests. The soil
is covered with salt water every time
the tide comes in. Salt water’s low
oxygen level means bacteria can
thrive. These bacteria free up
chemicals and substances harmful to
plants, like phosphates, sulfides, and
methane. So mangrove trees grow
systems of roots that “breathe” through
knobby holes called lenticels . They
take in carbon dioxide directly from the
air, instead of from the soil like other
plants.
NUTRIENT LEVEL
• : Mangroves are very
important to the
adjacent coral reefs in
that they filter out silt and
nutrients that would
otherwise go out to the
reef and smother corals
and encourage algal
growth. These roots are
firmly mired in the organic
muck; decomposition in
this muck releases
nutrients that the tree
can use, but there is no
oxygen.
COMMON SPECIES (VEGETATION)
• Obviously, the main
vegetation in the
mangrove swamps is
the mangrove trees.
Mangroves are hardy
and can live in such
rough conditions
because they are able
to absorb carbon
dioxide through the air
and can filter salt
water, unlike most
species of trees.
COMMON SPECIES (ANIMAL)
• Mangrove forests
are nesting grounds
for hundreds of
species of birds.
They’re home to
manatees,
monkeys, turtles,
fish, monitor lizards,
and, in parts of Asia,
the fishing cat.
ENDANGERED SPECIES (ANIMAL)
• In Florida,
mangroves shelter
endangered
species such as
hawksbill turtles,
bald eagles, and
American
crocodiles.
ENDANGERED SPECIES (VEGETATION)
• Mangrove trees (Red,
White and Black) are on
the endangered species
list. Because they thrive in
areas also popular for
building beach homes
and resorts, they were cut
down until about 60% of
the population was
wiped out. Organizations
are now working tirelessly
to bring back the trees,
but it won’t be easy.
MAN’S INFLUENCE
CAUSE
EFFECT
• Today mangrove forests are
one of the most threatened
habitats in the world.
Mangrove roots are very
susceptible to pollutants like
crude oil clogging their
lenticels, and continual
flooding from artificial dikes
and sea walls. Mangroves
act as sinks which
concentrate pollutants like
sewage, toxic minerals and
pesticides and herbicides.
• Over time the stress of the
pollutants and reduced
light kill large areas of
mangroves forests.
Mangrove wood also
makes a superior kind of
charcoal and many trees
are being cut down to
sustain local charcoal
industries.