Mangrove swamp facts for kids

Mangroves in Kannur, India.

A Mangrove swamp is a distinct saline woodland or shrubland habitat formed by mangrove trees. They are characterized by depositional coastal environments, where fine sediments (often with high organic content) collect in areas protected from high-energy wave action. The saline conditions tolerated by various mangrove species range from brackish water, through pure seawater (3 to 4%), to water concentrated by evaporation to over twice the salinity of ocean seawater (up to 9%).

Birds sanctuaries

Mangrove swamps are home and sanctuaries for thousands of aquatic bird species, including:

• Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
• Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
• Pichavaram
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sundarbans National Park

Natural coastal protection

Mangrove swamps protect coastal areas from erosion, storm surge (especially during hurricanes), and tsunamis. The mangroves' massive root systems are efficient at dissipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal water enough so its sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles when the tide ebbs. In this way, mangroves build their own environments. Because of the uniqueness of mangrove ecosystems and the protection against erosion they provide, they are often the object of conservation programs, including national biodiversity action plans.

The protective value of mangrove swamps is sometimes overstated. Wave energy is typically low in areas where mangroves grow, so their effect on erosion can only be measured over long periods. Their capacity to limit high-energy wave erosion is limited to events such as storm surges and tsunamis. Erosion often occurs on the outer sides of bends in river channels that wind through mangroves, while new stands of mangroves are appearing on the inner sides where sediment is accruing.

Images for kids

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  Mangrove ecosystem in the coastal intertidal zone  Seagrass and oyster beds can inhabit the shallow subtidal zone
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  Global distribution of mangrove forests
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  Diversity of mangroves is greatest in Southeast Asia Distribution of delta, estuary, lagoon and open coast mangrove types in (i) South Asia, (ii) Southeast Asia and (iii) East Asia  Bar charts show percentage change in area between 1996 and 2016
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  Sundarbans, world's largest mangrove forest
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  Mangroves dominate in tropical regions and salt marshes in temperate regions orange: mangroves dominate                             green: salt marshes dominate
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  The scorpion mud lobster is found in some mangrove swamps. It lives in burrows up to 2 m (6.6 ft) deep, and is active at night. Its burrowing is important for the recycling of nutrients, bringing organic matter up from deep sediments.

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  Fate of mangrove primary production  A.) Fate of mangrove primary production and importance of each component, as a percentage of net mangrove primary productivity. B.) Isotopic profile of sediments across the transition from mangrove to intertidal mudflats and seagrass beds, illustrating the retention of mangrove productivity within the forest.
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  Mangrove roots act as a net, retaining waste. Mayotte at low tide

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  Mangroves in West Bali National Park, Indonesia

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  Shrimp ponds in mangrove forests like these leave massive amounts of water pollution and compounds the negative effects of deoxygenation in mangrove forests.

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  Bengal tiger in the Sunderbans
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  Mangrove forests host many bird species with generalised foraging niches

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  Mangrove fantail

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  Mangrove hummingbird

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  Mangrove kingfishers are found particularly in mangrove zones

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  Mangrove black hawk

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  Brown pelicans fish and nest in mangrove forests

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  Little blue heron. The water is reflecting green mangrove trees.

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  Three great egrets fishing along a mangrove shore

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  Pelicans and cormorants high in the mangrove trees

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  Mangrove jack

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  Mangrove snapper swimming among mangrove roots

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  Old World silversides schooling among mangrove roots

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  Barracuda lurks among mangrove root

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  Yellow seahorses breed and give birth in Asia’s flooded mangrove forests. Tangled roots and submerged branches offer shadowy shelter to pregnant dads and their offspring

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  Mudskippers can be found in mangrove swamps

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  Mangrove whipray

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  Artist impression of small blue soldier crabs marching across a mangrove flat 

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  Mangrove crab, possibly Neosarmatium meinerti

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  Mangrove tree crab, Aratus pisonii

See also

In Spanish: Manglar para niños