Mangrove swamps are found in the tropics, along coastal regions and river mouths. In Nigeria, it is found in areas bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
Location: Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers States.
Characteristics of Mangrove Swamp Forests:
1. The rainfall is usually heavy, over 2500mm throughout the year.
2. It has tall woody trees.
3. It has evergreen trees with broad leaves.
4. The average monthly temperature is about 26°C.
5. Mangrove trees are common (White and Red mangroves, Coconut, Raffia palm).
6. Typically, the soil in the mangrove zone is extremely poor, and contains huge amounts of salt and limited oxygen. Mangrove species have specialized above-ground roots called breathing roots or pneumatophores to take up oxygen from the atmosphere.
7. Some mangrove species have slit roots with many pores through which atmospheric oxygen enters into the roots. Slit roots diverge from stems and branches and penetrate the soil some distance away from the main stem. e.g banyan trees.
8. Common animals found in this biome are Snakes, Tilapia fish, Oysters, Crabs etc.
9. Mangrove swamp forest is found in the tropics along the coastline of Nigeria.
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