Mangrove Forests
Throughout the world, wherever coastlines are protected from the direct action of waves, the area between tides supports wetland vegetation. In tropical climates such as southern Florida this coastline protection is provided by the mangroves. Mangroves are tropical trees that are adapted to salt water and to the rigors of tides. While many species are called mangroves throughout the tropics of the world, only three species are normally referred to as mangroves in Florida: the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), the black mangrove (Aricennia germinans) and the less common white mangrove (Leguncilaria race mosa).
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Mangrove estuary in the southwestern Everglades.
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