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Mangroves are a type of coastal intertidal zone plant that consists of trees and bushes. They are  tree or shrub which grows in tidal, chiefly tropical, coastal swamps, having numerous tangled roots that grow above ground and form dense thickets.  Mangrove trees come in roughly 80 distinct species. All of these trees thrive in low-oxygen soils where fine sediments can collect due to slow-moving streams.

Mangroves have been harvested for their wood, which has been used to build homes and boats, as well as fuel wood for cooking and warmth. Palm species are used to build jetties and other underwater constructions, particularly in Southeast Asia and Brazil, since they are resistant to rot and fungus and borers.

Benefits of mangroves

1.     Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline by reducing erosion caused by storm surges, currents, waves and tides

2.     Mangrove forests maintain water quality by removing nutrients and pollutants from stormwater runoff before they reach seagrass ecosystems and coral reefs

3.      Mangrove peat absorbs water during heavy rains and storm surges, lowering the likelihood of coastal flooding.

4.      Mangroves serve as nursery habitat for a variety of commercial fish and shellfish, contributing to the quantity of seafood in the area.

5.     Mangroves safeguard species that support a $7.6 billion seafood industry.

6.     Mangrove systems provide habitat for a diverse diversity of animals, including Honey bees, birds, and deer.

7.     Coastal birds such as tiny blue herons, great egrets, and brown pelicans use mangroves as nesting sites. For part of their periodic migrations, many birds rely on mangroves. Even dead mangroves are significant because they provide roosting spots for birds.