Florida's Mangroves

Red mangrove shoreline and island formation

One of the Florida's major natural resources, there are approximately 470,000 acres of mangrove forest in the state. They provide food for snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oysters and shrimp. Their branches are home to coastal birds such as ospreys, great egrets, cormorants, brown pelicans and roseate spoonbills, to name a few.

Of the three species (red, white and black) intermixed in Florida, the red mangrove (rhizophora mangle) is the most dominant and recognizable. It is identified by its tangled, reddish roots that appear to be standing on the surface of the water, earning mangroves the title, "walking trees."

The importance of red mangroves to the fishing industry in Florida cannot be ignored. Leaves from the trees decompose after falling in the water forming the basis of a detritus food chain. Decaying mangrove leaves with their high caloric value, protein content and microbial loads, become a principal source of food for crabs, shrimp and snails. They, in turn, become food for larger consumers like gamefish and feeding birds. There are many species of gamefish known to be dependent on mangrove estuaries in some stage of their lives. Commercial fisheries depend on mangroves for the perpetuation of species such as lobster, shrimp and snapper. Mammals living in mangrove forests include raccoons, wild pigs, rodents, deer, monkeys and bats. Mangrove fringes are important feeding and resting areas for turtles, dolphins, porpoises and manatees, a threatened species.

State and local regulations have been enacted to protect Florida's mangrove forests, but constant vigil must be kept to prevent losses due to overdevelopment.

Florida's Mangroves

Red mangrove shoreline and island formation

Roseatte Spoonbill

Stone Crab

Snook

Telephone: 321.426.4765 Florida Department of Plant Industry #47232018