Mangroveskogar

Mangroveskoger, or mangrove forests, are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical coastlines. They form dense, multi-species communities on sheltered shores, estuaries, lagoons, and river mouths where seawater and freshwater mix.

Adaptive traits common to mangrove species include pneumatophores or aerial roots for gas exchange, salt-excreting leaves, and in many species propagules that germinate while still attached to the parent tree. These adaptations enable survival in waterlogged, saline soils and fluctuating tides.

Ecologically, mangrove forests provide critical services. They serve as nursery habitats for numerous fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates, support high levels of biodiversity, trap sediments, and protect shorelines from erosion and storm surges. They also contribute to nutrient cycling and sequester significant amounts of carbon, playing a role in climate regulation as blue carbon ecosystems.

Geographically, mangroves occur along tropical and subtropical coastlines worldwide, with species assemblages varying by region. They are especially prominent in parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, often forming extensive stands where conditions are suitable.

Threats to mangroveskoger include coastal development, aquaculture expansion (notably shrimp farming), logging, pollution, and overharvesting. Climate change poses additional risks through sea-level rise, changing salinity, and more extreme weather events.

Conservation and restoration efforts aim to protect remaining mangroves, establish protected areas, and restore degraded sites through reforestation, natural regeneration, and community-based management. These efforts emphasize sustainable use, watershed planning, and recognition of the ecosystem services mangrove forests provide to coastal communities.