The Botany of Mangroves

Mangroves are remarkable tropical plants that grow with their roots partly or wholly submerged in sea water. They make tidal forests in the tropics, and these forests, referred to as "mangal," straddle the abrupt interphase between sea and land. They are economically important because they are a source of timber (used mainly as firewood). Mangroves also protect shorelines from wave damage and provide a nursery for many commercial fishes. To the scientist they offer an interesting opportunity to study organisms that adapt to both marine and terrestrial environments. The Botany of Mangroves is a concise, descriptive overview of mangrove plants, with emphasis on the biology of individual species.