2.05 Alternate How Severe Weather Events Impact Ecosystems Background Information- Mangroves Mangrove forests are an important intertidal habitat found along tropical and subtropical shorelines. The dense tangle of prop roots makes mangrove trees appear to be standing on stilts above the mud and water. The shallow intertidal zone around the mangroves plays a central role in transferring organic matter and energy from the land to marine ecosystems. Organic matter from fallen leaves and branches forms the base of important marine food chains. When bacteria break down the detritus, nutrients are released into the water to be used by marine animals. This makes mangrove forests an excellent habitat for juvenile fish and other marine creatures. Their roots shelter vibrant, hidden ecosystems. There are more than 50 species of mangrove trees around the world, with varying degrees of tolerance to soil salinity, flooding, and nutrient availability. Most mangroves have adaptations that allow them to thrive in different zones. We will be examining three species that are found together in the southern United States. The red mangrove, with its multiple prop roots, grows closest to the open water. The black mangrove grows at elevations slightly higher than the red mangrove, where tidal changes expose the roots to air. The least salt-tolerant of the three species is the white mangrove. It lives farther inland, where it is less exposed to tidal waters. Mangroves are an important habitat for both human and ecological communities be