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Mangrove Forest
Vegetation  
   
About 110 species of flora that thrive here have adapted to flooding, salinity of the water and predation of seedling by crabs. There are different zones that support different biodiversity.

The variety of species at any location in a mangrove depends on its ability to adapt to the physical environment.

The mangrove is an evergreen salt-loving tree of about 10-15 metres in height.

Crabs feed on the seedlings of mangrove trees
(Photograph taken by the Forest Buddies Team)
 
Prop-up roots found in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore
(Photograph taken by the Forest Buddies Team)

Mangrove trees have broad, leathery leaves with drip tips . They also have prop or stilt roots. This anchors the tree firmly to the ground. The hanging, breathing or aerial roots help them to take in more oxygen from the atmosphere.

Prop-up roots found in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore
(Photograph taken by the Forest Buddies Team)

The roots of the mangrove plants are habitats for a variety of organisms. By impeding tidal flow, the deposition of mineral-rich silt is increased, thus increasing the fertility of the soil.

Breathing roots found in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore
(Photograph taken by the Forest Buddies Team)
 
Sources:
Goh Cheng Leong. (1998). The World's Natural Vegetation. (p. 42-54). Singapore: Federal Publications.

Mangrove. (2008, March 13). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:39, March 15, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mangrove&oldid=197992997