What is a mangrove and its characteristics

Mangroves are a type of coastal ecosystems and wet very representative of tropical and subtropical areasespecially of swampy and flooded regions. They are very rich ecosystems in biodiversity, which arise from the narrow contact between the terrestrial and maritime environment, that is, seas and rivers.

In addition, they are Very important ecosystems For our own well -being and for the health of the planet, since it provides important environmental services. They play a fundamental role in the conservation of various plant and animal species (many in danger) and help curb wear or erosion of soils, setting soils and preventing sediments from accumulating on the beaches.

The largest amount of mangroves are distributed by the American continentbut we can also find them in Africa, Asia or Oceania. For example, in Brazil we can find mangroves along the entire coastal coast (from north to south) and is the country in the world that has a greater extension of mangroves, where they occupy 20 thousand km² of approximate extension.

The mangrove (In Guaraní ‘twisted tree’) is the predominant tree species in mangroves. These are trees that live along the entire coast, rivers and estuaries and keep part of their Trunks under salt water. They are very resistant trees that thrive in muddy, sandy, peat, in very brackish conditions (with water up to 100 times more salty) and hot, which would kill most species of plants. Part This resistance is due to the fact that these trees have a lot of adaptations, such as a filtration system that keeps a large amount of salt, a root system that manages to keep the mangrove stand out despite the changing sediments on which they settle and systems that help their roots to look for the existing oxygen on the surface (the amount of oxygen in the ecosystem is limited).

The fruits of these trees are known as propagulos and have a spear form. This form is important, since it allows them to bury themselves in the substrate when they fall into it or float long times and distances until finding land to settle.

There are diverse Mangle tree types:

• White mangrove (Racy Laguncularia)
• Jeli mangrove or gray (Know Erectus)
• Black mangrove (Avicennia Germinans)
• Red mangrove (Rhizhophora Mangle)

Although these are the main ones, there are around 70 species of mangrove trees.

The mangrove ecosystems They present one Great species biodiversity. Some of which are unique to these ecosystems.

They present a characteristic fauna, due to the special conditions in the tides and other factors in these ecosystems. The mangrove fauna It is formed by a large number of animals such as:

• Crustaceans
• Fish
• Molluscs
• Birds
• Reptiles
• Amphibians
• Mammals

For example, we can find crabs, shrimp, oysters, crocodiles, cobras, lizards, turtles, titis monkeys, marine wolves, herons, vultures, seagulls, hawks or worms.

Together, the fauna of these ecosystems constitutes one of the most productive and complex in the intermediate zone between the Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems.

Regarding the mangrove floradue to the conditions of these muddy environments, plant species that we call mangroves (described above) stand out and there are three mangrove species:

• White mangrove (Racy Laguncularia).
• Black mangrove (Avicena Germinans).
• Red mangrove (Rhizophora Mangle).

Mangroves are very important ecosystems For the following reasons:

• They produce a large amount of organic matter such as litter and other types.
• They retain the sediments, filter the waters that supply the water tables and retain waste and toxic substances that are directed towards the sea.
• They describe the waters that enter the mainland, forming reservoirs in the interior areas.
• They protect the coastal areas of erosion for water and wind and retain the sand on the beaches.
• They mitigate climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases.
• They stabilize the local climate.
• They are a source of resources for communities.

As we saw, mangroves are very important ecosystems on the planet, but also one of the most threatened in the world. The main environmental problems that affect mangroves are:

• Pollution
• The occupation of its territory
• Mass tourism
• Global warming
• Overexploitation of its natural resources

It is for this reason, that it was necessary to raise laws that especially protect these ecosystems. Thus, Law No. 4,771 approved on September 15, 1965 places mangroves as a permanent preservation area (app) and on July 26 the International Mangrove Defense Day.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is a mangrove and its characteristicswe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.