Introduction: The Mangrove Environment

Abstract

Mangroves are the characteristic intertidal plant formations of sheltered tropical and subtropical coastlines. They have been variously described as ‘coastal woodlands’, ‘mangals’, ‘tidal forests’ or ‘mangrove forests’. Where conditions are optimal, mangroves do indeed form extensive and productive forests (fig. 1.1). Where conditions are not optimal, however, dwarfed and scattered shrubs of mangroves may occur, which fall short of being either ‘woodlands’ or ‘forests’.