MANGROVES: PROTECTORS OF THE COAST

A tangled mangrove forest might not be that attractive to your typical beach goer, but they’re pretty darn important. These highly specialized trees perform many functions that we take for granted….or probably don’t even realize!

True/False

South Florida is home to two species of mangrove trees.

False

Red and black mangroves have pore-like structures which are used to absorb oxygen into their roots.

True

Mangroves are responsible for contributing to beach erosion in coastal areas.

False

Mangrove trees are more tolerant of salty environments than other trees.

True

Vocabulary List

  • Mangal: a community or forest of mangrove trees
  • Lenticel: a pore-like structure found on vascular plants that is designed to absorb oxygen and for the exchange of other gases
  • Pneumatophore: specialized aerial roots that enable certain plants to breathe air in waterlogged habitats, similar to a snorkel. Black mangroves have pneumatophores, and cypress knees are also considered pneumatophores. The surface of these pneumatophores are covered with lenticels
  • Exclusion: keeping apart; blocking an entrance

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