MANGROVES Mangroves are defined as
assemblages of salt tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in the intertidal regions of the
tropical and subtropical coastlines. They grow luxuriantly in the places where
freshwater mixes with seawater and where sediment is composed of accumulated deposits of mud.
Mangroves are
self-propagating plants and are physiologically adapted to salinity stress and to water logged anaerobic mud is high.
Mangrove ecosystems act as nurseries for fin fish, shell fish,
crustaceans and Mollusca. The mangroves besides providing a number of ecological services also play a major role in protecting coastal areas from e
rosion, tidal storms and surges (tsunamis).
