Photo: What Role Do Mangroves Play In An Estuary? Marker

Photographer: Sandra Hughes
Taken: January 9, 2013
Caption: What Role Do Mangroves Play In An Estuary? Marker
Additional Description: Mangroves
Blending land and sea, mangroves form an interesting environment along our coastline. Hardy, tropical plants, mangroves are one of the few trees that thrive in salt water. Once considered useless, the many values of mangroves are now evident. A variety of wildlife finds food and shelter in the mangroves. Their roots help stabilize the shoreline and also filter pollutants. Graceful, long-legged wading birds build tree-top nests in their branches.

Types of Mangroves
Red mangrove, closest to the water, has arching prop roots that make it look as though the tree is walking across the surface of the water.

Black mangrove, farther, inland, is surrounded by many finger-like roots. Their leaves excrete excess salt through special glands.

White mangrove
Has thick, light green leaves, the same color on both sides.
Submitted: August 3, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.
Database Locator Identification Number: p392750
File Size: 1.028 Megabytes

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