Mangroves: The Roots, Resilience, and Rainforests of the Coasts

Written by: Phong Nguyen Edited by: Carine Medellus

Young sprouts in mangrove forest: Image from Life In Shallow Waters - The Mangrove Forests Of India

Picture this: You're walking through your favorite grocery store, but instead of carts and shelves, you see a twisting forest of trees growing out of the water! The ground is soft and muddy, crabs moving around your feet, and fish glide through the tangled roots. Monkeys swing high above you. Welcome to the mangrove forest–nature's coastal grocery store!!

Like a bustling supermarket full of food, mangroves provide food and a home for many animals. Fish swim among the roots looking for food, just like shoppers search for their favorite snacks. Birds perch on the branches, watching intently, just as people browse the shelves for the best deals. But mangroves do much more than just feed animals — they protect coastlines, combat climate change, and give baby sea animals, like baby sea turtles, a safe place to grow up.

What are mangroves?

Mangroves are special trees that grow where salty ocean water meets fresh river water. The word “mangrove” comes from the Guarani word “mangal,” which means “crooked tree.” These sturdy trees can survive in harsh conditions, withstanding salt water, crashing waves, and muddy soil with little oxygen. Their tangled roots rise above the water like stilts, helping them breathe and stay anchored in the shifting sand. 

There are over 80 species of mangroves in the world, most of which are found in warm, tropical locations. In Florida, the most common species are red mangroves, black mangroves, white mangroves, and sycamores. These amazing trees cover about 54,000 square miles of coastline, providing food and shelter for countless fish, birds, and other creatures. Unfortunately, mangroves are rapidly disappearing and many animals and people depend on them for survival.

The superpowers of mangroves

In addition to serving as underwater grocery stores for a wide variety of marine life, mangroves provide many important ecosystem services that benefit our entire planet:

Storm Protection:

• Mangroves act as nature’s shields, blocking powerful storms like hurricanes and tsunamis. Their thick roots and trunks slow down huge waves, reducing their height by about two-thirds. For example, if a storm creates a 9-foot wave, mangroves can reduce it to just 3 feet! This makes a big difference to homes and buildings along the coast, preventing flooding and damage.

Carbon Storage:

• Mangroves help fight climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide, the gas that makes the planet hotter. They can store five times more carbon than tropical rainforests! Imagine a football pitch of mangroves containing as much carbon as five football pitches of jungle. Their roots trap the carbon deep in the soil, where it stays for thousands of years. 

A Safe Home for Marine Animals

• Mangroves act as underwater nurseries, or safe places for young animals to grow up. Birds like flamingos nest here, and tiny fish, shrimp, and crabs hide among the roots, safe from larger predators. Even mammals like monkeys and otters call mangrove forests home. Many seafood favorites like snapper and shrimp begin their lives in mangroves before making their way to the open ocean.

Water Filtration:

• Mangroves act as giant water filters, cleaning the ocean by trapping dirt, pollutants, and extra nutrients before they reach the coral reefs. This keeps the water clean and healthy for fish and other marine life. Without them, the ocean would be sick!

What if mangroves disappear?

Imagine walking to your favorite grocery store, but the shelves are empty — no bread, no fruit, no snacks! That’s what happens when mangroves disappear. Without them, many fish and animals lose their homes, and coastal cities lose their best defense against storms. If we lose mangroves, all that stored carbon will be released into the air, making climate change worse.

Mangroves are under threat from pollution, cutting down trees for shrimp farms, and rising sea levels. Once they are gone, it will be very difficult to bring them back. Losing mangroves would be like closing the only grocery store in town – bad news for everyone who relies on it!

What can you do to save the mangroves?

Did you know? Countries like Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic are working together in a big team called the Caribbean Biological Corridor! They are planting new mangroves and protecting old ones to keep their coasts safe. You can be a mangrove hero too! Even small actions like picking up trash or studying mangroves help save these amazing trees. Every little bit counts!

1. Make smart choices: When buying seafood, look for labels like “sustainably caught” (meaning the fishermen don’t harm the mangroves). 

2. Reduce Plastic Waste: Skip the plastic straws and bags—they often end up in the ocean! Use reusable bags, bottles, and containers to help keep plastic out of the ocean.

3. Spread the word: Tell your friends and family how important mangroves are! Share this article with them or tell them some interesting facts you learned. The more people know, the better we can work together to protect them.

References

Schueman, L. J. (2021, December 14). Six projects restoring vital mangrove forests around the world. One Earth. https://www.oneearth.org/six-projects-restoring-vital-mangrove-forests-around-the-world/

UN environment programme. (2021, July 23). Six things you can do to bring back mangroves. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/six-things-you-can-do-bring-back-mangroves

Weeden, M. (2024, June 25). 10 Interesting Facts About Mangroves. One Tree Planted. https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/facts-about-mangroves?srsltid=AfmBOorK0gUIE1sqEcNNKK4E30g176hBdw59bqoFRtOD2ahaTwj8NWMx

World Wildlife Fund. (n.d.). Mangroves for Community and Climate | Initiatives | WWF. World Wildlife Fund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/mangroves-for-community-and-climate