Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal zone.There are about 80 different species of mangrove trees. All of these trees grow in areas with low-oxygen soil, where slow-moving waters allow fine sediments to accumulate. Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.
Many mangrove forests can be recognized by their dense tangle of prop roots that make the trees appear to be standing on stilts above the water. This tangle of roots allows the trees to handle the daily rise and fall of tides, which means that most mangroves get flooded at least twice per day. The roots also slow the movement of tidal waters, causing sediments to settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom.
Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. This structure creates an intricate network of habitat for numerous amphibious and marine animals. Mangroves are some of the only coastal plants that can live in saltwater, and when conditions are favorable, they cover the coastline in dense patches known as mangrove forests or swamps.
As the primary species involved in forming mangrove forests prefer very warm, wet conditions, they are restricted to tropical and warm temperate latitudes around the world. Indonesia, Thailand, and Mexico are some places with particularly large areas of mangrove forest.