Mangrove Adaptations

Mangroves have many adaptations to survive in their harsh and unstable environment.

Red mangroves have adaptations including:

• Prop roots which help anchor them in loose mud and protect them from strong winds, waves, and tides.

• Thick waxy green leaves that lose little precious fresh water to evaporation

 

• Special provisions to transport oxygen from the aerial roots to the roots  submerged and embedded in the anaerobic muck below.

 

• The seeds begin to grow roots while attached to the tree. 

• Salt pores on the leaves to get rid of excess salt.

Black mangroves have adaptations that include:

• Pneumatophers which are shallow roots that grow horizontally and send up vertical shoots that brings oxygen to the rest of the root.

• Cuticle coating the leaves to help store water.

• Black mangrove roots can filter 90 percent of the salt from sea water but the leaves take care of the rest.

• Black mangroves have chloroplasts and chlorophyll like other producers to produce its own food. 

 

• Vivipary and dispersal are reproductive adaptations that give mangroves an increased chance for survival.

 
- Victoria Mehlhaff -