Photo: South Florida Water Management District
Photo: South Florida Water Management District
A Mangrove Forest is a salt marsh found in tropical areas in the southern United States, Africa, Mexico and coastal Australia. The mangrove is a type of tree that makes its own land that is able to support wildlife and a forest of trees. The seed buds and roots grow very fast in water and eventually become imbedded into a small piece of land or substrate. The tangle of roots slows water movement making particles (pieces) of sand, plants and shells deposit and pile around the roots. After many years a mangrove forest is established. Many species of birds such as brown pelicans, egrets, herons, and roseate spoonbills nest in these unique forested communities. Mangrove trees, sawgrass and cabbage palmetto grow on the islands while the American alligator, Florida cottonmouth and five lined skunk may live under the tree canopy.