Natural Mangrove Forest Trekking Program

The word "Mangrove" refers to tropical plants and their communities growing in the inter tidal zone, an area along the coast line ( e.g., seashore, estuaries, lagoon and river banks) and is fluenced by tidal condition. Accourding to FAO (1952) magrove is defined as trees and bushes growing below the high water level of spring tides.

Mangrove includes a large variety of plant families, that adapt to the particular environment. Tomlinson (1986) classifies mangrove species into 3(Three) groups, i.e major component, minor component and mangrove associates

WHERE IS MANGROVE FOUND ?

Large Mangrove trees are found along muddy sheltered shoreline free from ordinary strong winds and currents( e.q, mounth of big rivers). They can also grow on sandy and rocky shores, coral reefs and oceanic islands. While brackish water is ot essential fro mangrove's growth, it thrives if there are pelentiful supplies of fine sidements and fresh water.

MORPHOLOGICAL MANGROVE CHARAKTERISTIC.

Remarkable morhological characteristic of mangrove species appear in their root system and fuits as elaborated below.

ROOT SYSTEM

The soil of mangrove habitat becomes anaerobic (air free) when it is under water. Some species develop a typical root system called aerial roots suitable for anaerobic soil conditions.

FRUITES/SEEDS

All mangrove species produce fruits usually dispersed by water. The fruits take several shapes such as cylindrical. round, and bean- like.

Vivaparous seeds Cryptovviparous Seeds Normal Seeds.