Magrooves

and
seashore vegetation
Introduction
Mangroves are salt tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in intertidal zone where land meets
sea. These unique ecosystems are found in tropical and sub tropical coastal regions around the
world. They are adapted to survive in conditions of fluctuating water levels, high salinity, and
anaerobic soils. Mangroves are often found along the edge of oceans, seas, and rivers forming
thick forest. Mangroves often reproduce through propagules, which are specialized seeds that
can float and disperse long distances, allowing them to colonize new areas.
Mangroves can be divided in to 3 parts. They are
1.Red Mangroves
Known for their prop roots, which extend from the lower branches and grow downward into
the mud, providing stability in soft substrates. They have pneumatophores, which are
specialized roots that grow upward to help aerate the root system.Red mangroves typically
occupy the seaward fringe of mangrove forests, where they are exposed to the highest levels of
salinity and tidal fluctuations.
2.White Mangroves
White mangroves are characterized by their smooth, grey bark and their ability to tolerate
higher levels of salinity than other mangrove species. They often have knee-like
pneumatophores that emerge from the ground and help to aerate the roots.
3.Black mangroves
Black mangroves are known for their distinctive grey bark and their pencil-shaped
pneumatophores, which are called "aerial roots." They have specialized salt-secreting glands on
their leaves that help to remove excess salt from their tissues. Black mangroves often occupy
the landward fringe of mangrove forests, where they are exposed to lower levels of salinity and
tidal fluctuations.
Seashore vegetation is a unique plant community that thrives in the harsh, saline conditions of
coastal environments. These plants have evolved specialized adaptations to survive the
constant fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and salinity.Seashore plants have developed
mechanisms to tolerate high levels of salinity in their tissues, allowing them to thrive in
environments where other plants would struggle These plants are often exposed to strong
winds, and they have adaptations such as thick, leathery leaves and sturdy stems to resist
damage. Seashore vegetation helps to stabilize sandy soils, preventing erosion and preserving
dunes.vegetation plays a crucial role in protecting coastlines from erosion by wind and
waves.They contribute to nutrient cycling in coastal ecosystems, helping to maintain water
quality and productivity. They provide essential habitat for a variety of marine and terrestrial
organisms.
Methodology
Firstly Doxycycline tablets was taken to prevent infecting prophylaxis.Then the journey was
started from the university to rekawa. Under the demostrators guiding , after the entering
biodiversity and ecosystems were observed and studied well. Then identification of mangroves,
mangrove associated plants and seashore vegetation were started with the help of
demostrators and the guiding book.In rekawa sea shore area cap and lon sleeve shirts were
must for own protection from the sunlight. Then in the rekawa lagoon cover shoes are must for
own protection from muddy substrates.In both of these places, characteristcs of plants, color
and shape of their leaves, color of their flowers,size of their fruits,what are the roots, location
they found and their ecological importance were identified and noted down.Their photograph
also were taken to help identification after the observations, batch photo was taken as a
memory and then came back to the university.
Species name Classification characteristics
1.  commonly known as the
Kingdom: Plantae
blind-tree or buta-buta.
Phylum: Tracheophytes  They are small, much-
branched tree with a dense
Class:Angisperms canopy
Order: Malpighiales  Mature leaves are red in
color
Family: Phyllanthaceae  Flowers are small,
Genus: Exocoecaria yellowish-green flowers
Exocoecaria agallocha  The plant is dioecious.
Species: Exocoecaria  Fruits are Small, round
agallocha capsules.
 They contains toxic
substances that can cause
severe irritation and even
blindness if it comes into
contact with the eyes or
skin.
 Found in thrives in
mangrove forests, often
near coastal areas.

2.  Commonly known as the

Kingdom: Plantae
tall-stilt mangrove.
Phylum: Tracheophytes  This species is its
development of long,
Class: Angiosperms
arching stilt roots that
Order: Malpighiales extend from the trunk and
branches into the mud.
Family: Rhizophoraceae  The leaves are dark green,
Kingdom: Plantae leathery, and have a
Genus: Rhizophora
Phylum: Tracheophytes distinctive elliptical shape.
Species: Rhizophora apiculata They are often covered
Class: Magnoliopsida with a waxy cuticle
Order: Lamiales  The tree produces small,
yellowish-green flowers
Family: Acanthaceae that are arranged in
Genus: Avicennia clusters.
 The tree develops fruit that
Species: Avicennia officinalis contains a single seed.
Rhizophora apiculata  They are typically grows to
be 20-30 meters tall.
 Leaves are Thick, leathery,
and oval-shaped with a
 silvery-gray underside.
3.  Leaf apex are rounded.
 Flowers are Small,
yellowish-green, and
clustered in spikes.
 Fruits are Small, fleshy, and
greenish-brown and densly
covered with small hair
 They have
pneumatophores, these
pencil-shaped aerial roots
grow vertically from the
soil.
 The tree has specialized
glands to excrete excess
Avicennia officinalis salt.
 Avicennia officinalis has
viviparous seeds that
develop into propagules
before dropping into the
water
4.
Kingdom: Plantae  commonly known as the
Phylum: Tracheophytes grey mangrove or white
mangrove
Class: Angiosperms  It is well-adapted to saline
environments
Order: Lamiales
 The leaves are arranged
Family: Acanthaceae oppositely on the branches
and are typically oval-
Genus: Avicennia
shaped with a leathery
Species: Avicennia marina texture.
Avicennia marina  The bark is typically
greyish-green in color.
 The leaves have specialized
salt-secreting glands that
help to remove excess salt
from the plant's tissues.
 Avicennia marina, are
highly efficient at
sequestering carbon from
the atmosphere, helping to
mitigate climate change.
 Pneumatophores: These
pencil-shaped aerial roots
grow vertically out of the
mud and help to aerate the
root system, which is
essential in oxygen-poor
environments.

5.  Lumnitzera racemose, also

Kingdom: Plantae known as the White-
Flowered Black Mangrove
Phylum: Tracheophytes
 Typically grows to be a
L small to medium-sized
Class: Angiosperms
u tree, reaching heights of up
m Order: Commelinales to 8 meters.
ni  Leaves are simple, obovate
tz Family: Rhizophoraceae
(wider near the tip), with a
er Genus: Lumnitzera rounded or notched apex.
a Leaves are often arranged
Species: Lumnitzera racemose spirally on the branches.
racemose  Flowers are small, white,
and fragrant. They are
 arranged in short spikes in
the axils of the leaves or at
the tips of the shoots.
 Fruits are woody, flattened
capsules containing a single
seed. They are often
buoyant, aiding in seed
dispersal.
 Roots are Develops
pneumatophores (aerial
roots) to help obtain
oxygen in oxygen-poor
environments.
 The wood from Lumnitzera
racemose is sometimes
used for construction and
fuel.
 Certain parts of the plant
have traditional medicinal
uses in some cultures

6.  Aegiceras corniculatum,
Kingdom: Plantae commonly known as the
River Mangrove,
Phylum: Tracheophytes  Typically grows as a small
Class: Magnoliopsida tree or shrub, reaching
heights of up to 6 meters.
Order: Ericales  Leaves are leathery,
Family:Primulaceae elliptical to spoon-shaped,
and often have a reddish
Genus: Aegiceras tint to the midrib.
Species: Aegiceras  Flowers are small, white
corniculatum flowers are produced in
Aegiceras corniculatum clusters. They are fragrant
and have a tubular shape.
 The fruit is a distinctive,
curved capsule that
resembles a chili pepper. It
contains a single seed and
is often dispersed by water.
7.  Typically grows as a small
to medium-sized tree,
Kingdom: Plantae reaching heights of up to
Phylum: Tracheophytes 15 meters.
 It has a slender, cylindrical
Class: Magnoliopsida trunk and often develops
aerial roots
Order: Malvales
 They have viviparous
Family: Rhizophoraceae seeds.
 Its bark is dark grey to
Genus: Bruguiera
brown and rough with
Species:Bruguiera gymnorhiza distinct lenticels.
Bruguiera gymnorhiza  The plant is buttressed at
the base and produces
kneed roots which
protrude above substrate.
 Flowers: Small, yellowish-
green flowers are
produced in clusters
 The fruit is a large, woody
capsule that contains a
single seed.
8.  Ceriops tagal, also known
Kingdom: Plantae as the yellow mangrove,
 Grows to be a medium-
Phylum: Tracheophytes sized tree, reaching
Class: Angiosperms heights of up to 25
meters.
Order: Malpighiales  Trunk: Develops buttress
Family: Rhizophoraceae roots for stability and
support in soft, muddy
Genus: Ceriops soils.
Species: Ceriops tagal  Leaves are Glossy,
yellowish-green leaves
Ceriops tagal
with a distinctive, obovate
shape.
 Flowers are small, yellow
flowers arranged in
clusters.
 Fruits are viviparous
Mangroves associated  Thespesia populnea,
9. Kingdom: Plantae commonly known as the
Portia tree or Indian tulip
Phylum: Tracheophytes tree.
Class: Angiosperms  Trunk is develops a
straight, cylindrical trunk
Order: Malvales with smooth, gray-brown
Family: Malvaceae bark.
 Leaves are large, heart-
Genus: Thespesia shaped leaves with a
Species: Thespesia propagacia prominent pointed tip.
 Flowers are large, showy
flowers with five petals
that are typically yellow
Thespesia propagacia or orange in color. The
center of the flower is
often a deep red or
purple.
 Fruits are small, round
capsules that contain
numerous see
10.
Kingdom: Plantae
 Clerodendrum inerme is a
Phylum: Tracheophytes versatile plant that can be
grown as a shrub or a vine
Class: Angiosperms
 Stems is woody, smooth,
Order: Lamiales and often greenish-brown
or purplish.
Family: Lamiaceae
 Leaves are opposite,
Genus: Clerodendrum entire, elliptic or obovate,
obtuse at the tip, and
Species: Clerodendrum inerme base acute.
 The leaves are generally
glabrous or minutely
puberulous, with a
punctate or glandular
surface.
 Flowers are white or
tinged purple, trumpet-
shaped, and fragrant.
They grow in clusters of 3-
7 on the ends of
branches.
 Fruits are drupe-like,
Clerodendrum inerme
drop-shaped, bright green
turning black or brown,
and about 0.8 cm in
diameter.

11.  Acanthus ilicifolius, also

known as the holly-leaved
acanthus or sea holly
 Grows as a clump-forming
perennial, reaching
heights of up to 1 meter.
 Stems is stout, erect, and
usually unbranched.
 Leaves are large, basal,
and spiny, with a holly-
 like shape. They are dark
Acanthus ilicifolius green, leathery, and
deeply lobed, with spiny
edges.
 Flowers are showy,
tubular, and purple,
arranged in long, dense
spikes. The flowers are
surrounded by spiny
bracts.

Discussion
Mangrove forests can be divided in to two categories as true mangrove and mangrove
associated.Among the observed species Thespesia propagacia, Acanthus ilicifolius and
Clerodendrum inerme are mangroves associated and other species are true mangroves. Mangroves
have evolved unique root systems to thrive in the challenging conditions of coastal wetlands.
These specialized roots help them anchor in soft, muddy sediments, tolerate saltwater, and
breathe in oxygen-poor environments.There are main types of mangrove roots:

1. Prop Roots
These roots grow downward from the lower trunk or branches and eventually penetrate
the ground.They provide additional stability and support to the tree, especially in areas
with soft, unstable sediments.
2. Aerial Root
These roots grow upward from the trunk or branches and extend into the air.They help to
increase the tree's access to oxygen in areas with low oxygen levels, such as during
periods of flooding.
3. Pneumatophores
These are specialized aerial roots that grow vertically upward from the ground. They
often have a pencil-like shape or resemble snorkel tubes.Pneumatophores allow the tree
to exchange gases with the atmosphere, especially during periods of high tides or
flooding when the roots are submerged.
 Pneumatophores knee roots stilt roots and prop

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems that play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and
protecting coastal areas. Their unique adaptations to saline environments and their intricate
root systems provide numerous benefits to both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Mangroves
act as natural barriers, reducing the impact of waves and storms on coastlines. Their dense root
systems help to stabilize sediments and prevent erosion. Mangroves can help to dissipate the
energy of storm surges, reducing the risk of flooding and property damage in coastal
communities .Mangroves are highly efficient carbon sinks, absorbing and storing large amounts
of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This helps to mitigate climate change .Mangrove roots
and sediments help to filter pollutants and excess nutrients from the water, improving water
quality and protecting marine ecosystems.

Also we were observed some seashore like Pandanus kirkii, spinifex ,