What is a Mangrove?
Mangroves are tropical plants that are adapted to
loose, wet soils, salt water, and being periodically submerged by tides.
Four major factors appear to limit the distribution of mangroves:
- climate
- salt water
- tidal fluctuation
- soil type
There are more that 50 species of mangroves found throughout the world. Three species
of mangroves are native to Florida: red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), Black mangrove
(Avicennia germinans) and White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa).
Red mangroves are easily identified by their "prop roots" which are tangled,
reddish, aerial roots that originate from the trunk and branches. Their leaves are 1-5
inches long, broad and blunt on the tip, shiny, deep green on top, and paler on the
underside.
Black mangroves can be identified by numerous finger-like projections, called pneumatophores, that protrude from the soil around the tree's trunk. Black
mangrove leaves
are oblong, shiny green on top and covered with short dense hairs on the underside. Black
mangroves are usually found in slightly higher elevations upland from red mangroves.
White mangroves have no visible aerial root system like red and black mangroves. The
easiest way to identify white mangroves is by the leaves. The leaves are up to 3 inches
long, elliptical (rounded at both ends), yellowish in color, and have two distinguishing
glands at the base of each leaf blade where the stem begins. White mangroves are usually
located in elevations higher and farther upland than either the red or black mangroves.
It has been estimated that there are over 500,000 acres of mangroves remaining in the
coastal areas of Central and South Florida. Of this total, it is estimated that at least
80 percent are under some form of governmental or private ownership or control for
preservation or conservation purposes.
Mangrove Functions and Values:
- Mangroves trap and cycle various organic materials, chemical elements, and important
nutrients in the coastal ecosystem.
- Mangroves provide one of the basic food chain resources for marine organisms.
- Mangroves provide physical habitat and nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine
organisms, many of which have important recreational or commercial value.
- Mangroves serve as storm buffers by reducing wind and wave action in shallow shoreline
areas.
The Department implements statutes that
regulate the alteration and trimming of mangroves. Three species of tropical wetland trees
that grow along the shoreline of many estuaries in central and southern Florida are
classified as mangroves; they are
the red mangrove, the white mangrove, and the black mangrove. The trimming and alteration
of mangroves is governed by Sections 403.9321-403.9333 of the Florida Statutes,
Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act. The mangrove program is
implemented by the Department as well as several delegated local governments. Mangrove
trimming and alteration may be done by property owners under certain exemptions, as
specified in Section 403.9326 of the Florida Statutes. Other trimming will require the
services of a professional mangrove trimmer and may require a
permit.
