Structures of the Tropical Mangrove Forest

There are 3 horizontal zones.

1. Coastal Area The trees here grow well in salt water. They have adapted to growing in salt water (also known as halophytes) as the coastal zone usually flooded with seawater during high tide. (e.g. Avicennia trees & Sonneratia trees) The trees have breathing roots or aerial roots.

2.Middle Zone The trees here have prop or stilt roots. (e.g. Rhizophora trees)

3.Inland Zone The trees here grow further inland as they cannot tolerate salt water. They also have knee-like roots. Most tees are of uniform height, 15m. The muddy soil in the coastal environment cannot provide firm support for very tall trees. They are usually shorter than the trees in Tropical Rainforest and Tropical Monsoon Forest. (e.g. Bruguiera trees)