Mangroves in Belize

Mangrove forests support a wealth of life, from starfish to people, and may be more important to the health of the planet than we ever realized. Mangrove swamps are found in tropical and subtropical tidal areas Across the globe the location of mangroves usually runs parallel to coral reefs. Mangroves are trees that do not grow fruits or nuts, they are not the ideal for shade or breeze. Areas where mangal occurs include estuaries and marine shorelines.These plants are also landbuilders par excellence.  The mangrove biome, or mangal, is a distinct saline woodland or shrubland habitat characterized by depositional coastal environments, where fine sediments. The unique ecosystem found in the intricate mesh of mangrove roots offers a quiet marine region for young organisms. Coral Reefs are less effected when Mangrove purify the water from human wastes and pollutants. Red, White and Black Mangroves can be found in Belize. It takes over 50 years for it to be mature.

Propagules- Seed pods that grow on the end of roots, when the pods ripen, it falls from the ground, rot and a new tree comes out. The plants' interlocking roots stop riverborne sediments from coursing out to sea, and their trunks and branches serve as a palisade that diminishes the erosive power of waves. Though the trees themselves are few in species, the ecosystem these trees create a home for a great variety of other organisms. Shrimps and mud lobsters use the muddy bottoms as their home and crabs feeds on the mangrove leaves.

Red mangroves which can survive in the most inundated areas, prop themselves above the water level with stilt roots and can then absorb air through pores in their bark. Red mangroves exclude salt by having significantly impermeable roots which are highly suberised, an ultrafiltration mechanism to exclude sodium salts from the rest of the plant. Analysis of water inside mangroves has shown 90% to 97% of salt has been excluded at the roots.

Black mangroves-live on higher ground and make many pneumatophores. The "breathing tubes" typically reach heights of up to 30 cm, and in some species, over 3 m. It is structure like a straw sticking out of the grown for air.

White mangroves- White mangroves produces a fruit with a sapling inside.   White mangrove can excrete or push out the salt from its system through hundreds of pores on its leaves. Salty water is excreted from the tiny pores. The water then evaporates The leaves are round at the base and the tip and smooth underneath. Also, they are thick with a leathery feel. The thickness and leathery-ness of the leaves help to keep moisture in the tree.

Today Mangrove has a huge major in the environmental in the costal line. It is increasingly showing in some major towns like  Belize and Ambergris Caye. Development is seen more on demand on the coastal lines where once a Mangroves was. But to control this , Without a permit granted by the Department of Fisheries, it is illegal to clear any Mangrove by both valuable ecosystem and the amount of mangrove protected areas.