Brazil Eco Adventure Tours
Rainforest - Hiking & Biking - Wildlife

These unique coastal tropical forests are among the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Mangrove forests once covered 3/4 of the coastlines of tropical and sub-tropical countries. Today, less than 50% remain, and of this remaining forest, over 50% is degraded and not in good form. Brazil has one of the largest mangrove- extensions in the world, which are already being monitored by satellites.

An interesting topic concerning the biology of mangroves is the fact that they have developed some interesting adaptations for coping with the saltiness of their homes. Some mangroves have salt-excreting glands on or near their leaves. Others exclude salt at the roots. In addition, mangroves often have to deal with stagnant water conditions. Lack of gaseous exchange in the substrate requires the mangroves to have special breathing structures on the exposed roots and/or trunk. Some have aerial prop roots bending down from either trunk or branches, while others have no elaborate physical structures. A final interesting fact in the biology of some mangroves trees is their ability to germinate within the fruit while still on the tree, contrary to the normal act of falling to the ground first before germinating, which is exhibited in most trees (see also Mangrove Ecosystems).

Along the Brazilian coast occur three types of mangrove species: the Red Mangrove, the White Mangrove and the Black Mangrove (Siriúba). The Red Mangrove is the richest known source of tannin which is widely used in pottery and to dye and protect fishing nets. Some fine spots to visit or study mangroves in Brazil are: Ilha do Cardoso, Superagüi, Juréia - Itatins and Juatinga / (Joatinga) .