Mangrove Trees

A mangrove is a tropical marine tree or shrub of the genus Rhizhopora. Mangroves have special aerial roots and salt-filtering tap roots that enable them to thrive in brackish water brackish water is salty, but not as salty as sea water).

      There are several species or mangrove trees found all over the world. Some prefer more salinity, while others like to ber very close to a large fresh water source (such as a river). Some prefer areas that are sheltered from waves. Some species have their roots covered with sea water every day during high tide. Other species grow on dry land, but are still part of the ecosystem.

      Mangroves need to keep their trunk and leaves above the surface of the water. Yet they also need to be firmly attached to the ground so they also need leaves above by the waves. There are three types of mangrove root that play an important role for it:

1. Support roots which directly pierce the soil
2. Level growing roots which twist upwards and downward, with the upward twist emerging on the water surface.
3. Level-growing roots whose downward twist (sub-roots) appear on the water surface.

     Any part of a root that appears above the water flows oxygen to the plant under surface. As the soil begins to build up, these roots produce additional roots that become embedded in the soil.

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