El red mangrove or Rhizophora Mangrove is a plant variety native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Although its presence in the coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean is especially notable.
As you can imagine, the nickname “red” is given to this mangrove because of its color. And both the roots and the branches can take on a tone halfway between reddish and orange.
Mangroves and mangroves: what are we talking about?
The term mangrove is used to refer to the different species of trees or shrubs that make up mangroves.
For its part, a mangrove is a tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystem. A forest that grows in intertidal areas, where the earth receives moisture from both fresh water from rivers and salt water from the sea. This gives rise to the presence of plant species that have adapted to this very particular environment, where the water is saline and the soils are muddy.
Plants that grow in these environments have a series of characteristics in common with each other:
- Aerial roots or stilts. It is common for the roots of the plant species that grow in a mangrove to protrude from the ground, as if they were “stilts.” They thus manage to provide stability to the structure of the plant and allow it to breathe, even when the tide rises.
- Salinity tolerance. Generally speaking, plants do not cope well with exposure to saline water. However, mangrove-type plants can tolerate high levels of salinity in both water and soil. Because they have the ability to filter salt through their roots and excrete it through their leaves or, failing that, accumulate it in structures that have evolved for this.
- Adaptive reproduction system. The reproduction system of these plants has adapted to the coastal environment. In this way, some reproduce through floating seeds.
- Resistance to adverse conditions. They are species capable of resisting extreme environmental conditions that include storms, floods, and soils very poor in oxygen.
The red mangrove and its role in mangrove ecosystems
Rhizophora mangle is a plant species belonging to the Rhizophoraceae family, of which there are about 120 species and 16 genera. Of all of them, the best known genus is Rhizophora, which It is a common presence in mangroves.
The red mangrove fulfills an important mission within the mangrove ecosystem, because it constitutes the habitat for a large number of marine and aquatic species that find refuge and food in the areas where these trees grow.
In addition, mangroves are something like a natural filter. They are responsible for capturing sediments and nutrients and preventing them from reaching sensitive marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. They are largely responsible for the clarity of the water. and the good condition of the aquatic ecosystems.
The red mangrove, along with other mangrove species, form a natural barrier against storms, hurricanes and storm surges that They are common in tropical and subtropical regions. Its strong roots and leaves help reduce the force of waves, thereby protecting coastal areas from erosion and flooding.
Physical characteristics of the red mangrove
Although it can be difficult to differentiate some mangroves from others, here are a series of physical details that can help you know if you are looking at a red mangrove or another type.
Height and shape
It is a medium to large sized tree. Although there are specimens that measure around six meters in length, Specimens exceeding 20 meters in height have also been dated.
In any case, it always grows in an erect and branched way, with the branches extending from the main trunk.
Red mangrove leaves
They are characterized by being oval in shape, with a shiny dark green color. Furthermore, it is common for them to end in a pointed shape and They are arranged alternately along the branches of the tree.
Flowers and fruits
The red mangrove produces small, pale yellow flowers that appear in clusters at the tips of the branches.
Its pollination occurs due to the effect of insects and the wind, later giving rise to the fruits. The fruit is a green, woody capsule that contains a single seed. When ripe, it turns brown and splits open, releasing the seed.
As in other mangroves, the seed of rhizophora mangle has the ability to float. Thus, the seeds are transported by water and They move to other places where the new plant can germinate and grow.
This floating capacity of the seeds is one of the main reasons why mangroves reach large areas.
Aerial roots
One of the distinctive characteristics of the mangrove is that its roots are areas. They protrude from the ground and submerge in the water, providing stability and allowing the plant to obtain oxygen despite being established in soils flooded with salt water.
bark color
As we said before, one of the essential features of the red mangrove is the reddish tone of its trunk and branches. As the tree ages, Fissures and grooves appear in the bark.
A wood with a high commercial value
Red mangrove wood is especially appreciated, because it is naturally very resistant to deterioration and adapts well to humid and dry environments. Although it is not widely used in furniture construction due to its irregular and twisted grain., it does have many applications in different industries.
In coastal communities, red mangrove wood has historically been used to build houses, boats, fences, and all types of structural elements. Because it is a wood:
- Very durable. With a high capacity for resistance to rot.
- Flexible. It is hard, but relatively flexible, so it can be used in structures that require a certain shock absorption capacity.
Fire resistant.
The red mangrove is a variety that is curious to us because we do not see it every day. But its true importance lies in the role that fulfills in the conservation of mangrove ecosystems.