1 of 5
Iouri Dovnarovich
Oleta River sunset.
2 of 5
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3 of 5
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Canoeing on the Black River
4 of 5
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Sea turtle.
5 of 5
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
By Cherie Graves
Mangroves are peculiar trees. The roots spread laterally with attached vertical anchor roots so that the canopy appears to grow on a multitude of stilts. Mangroves function as their own desalination plant, excluding or excreting salt from their water supply. Mangroves are viviparous - their seeds (properly, propagules) germinate while still attached to the parent plant. In the animal kingdom, this is the equivalent of reproducing the species via live birth instead of laying eggs.
Mangroves developed their unique qualities to adapt to the peculiar position they hold in the natural order of things. Mangroves stand between the land and the sea, connected to, and supporting, both worlds.
How to meet a mangrove
Mangroves thrive along the tropical and subtropical coasts of Africa, Australia, Asia and the Americas. In the United States, you’ll need to go to South Florida. You can meet the mangroves along paddling trails and boardwalks, on diving and fishing excursions.
Mangrove “tunnels” shade paddlers on many South Florida paddling trails. Boardwalks through mangroves provide stunning views of the coastal ecosystem and ideal lookout points for those who want to catch a glimpse of local birds such as little blue herons, great egrets and brown pelicans. During migrating season, white pelicans, a variety of warblers and other migrating birds find food and shelter in the mangroves.
Mangroves provide nursery habitat for many commercial fish and crustaceans, and thus contribute to the local abundance of seafood such as snook, spotted sea trout, blue crabs and pink shrimp. The aquatic food chain around mangroves includes catches favored by anglers, so mangroves make good fishing partners. Almost every delicious bite on a South Florida seafood platter spent time near mangroves.
Where to meet a mangrove
Visitors to Florida can meet a mangrove on the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic Coast, along rivers and in the keys.
Collier-Seminole State Park
The 2942 ha (7,271 ac) park lies partly within the great mangrove swamp of southern Florida, one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. Visitors to Collier-Seminole can meet the mangroves and other native plants and animals along hiking, bicycling or paddling trails.
Paddlers can put in at the Blackwater River, which originates in the park and meanders about 13 km (8 mi) through the mangroves to Blackwater Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands, the mother lode of mangroves in the United States. With an area of about 600 square kilometers, Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands is one of the world’s largest mangrove swamps.
If you don’t have a canoe, you can rent one at the park. A boat ramp provides access to the river, which is brackish, so anglers can fish for freshwater or salt water catches.
While you’re here, you can also say hello to the Everglades and meet the royal palms. Collier-Seminole State Park is one of only three sites in Florida where native royal palms grow in abundance in their natural setting. Those looking for an Everglades experience will find it with a hike along the park’s adventure trail, which includes a cypress swamp with clear, cool water that may be waist deep, depending on recent rainfall.
Oleta River State Park
One of Florida's largest urban parks, Oleta River State Park is located on Biscayne Bay in Miami. Meet the mangroves along the river and bay or along 15 miles of single track off-road bicycling trails. Easy and intermediate level trails wind through the park, though some areas are challenging with plank walks, log crossings and switchbacks. Three miles of paved trails offer scenic views of the waterways through mangrove forests.
Meet the mangroves from a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Along the Oleta River, a large stand of mature riverine mangroves represent native South Florida, providing habitat for many species of plants and wildlife.
Meet the mangroves from the beach. Fringe mangrove forest grows along Biscayne Bay from water’s edge to the main park road. Osprey, night herons, white ibis, egrets and anhinga perch wade among the mangroves here. Numerous mollusks, crabs and fish can be found in and among mangrove prop roots.
Those looking for fishing opportunities will find them at the fishing pier and along several miles of the Biscayne Bay shoreline. Fishing gear and bait can be purchased at the park.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, is a good place to meet the mangroves and some of their neighbors. The first undersea park in the U.S., John Pennekamp encompasses approximately 240 sq km (70 nautical sq mi). Mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks make up the uplands. A 4 km (2.5 mi) paddling trail winds through the mangrove swamp or explore miles of natural mangrove wilderness waterway trails in Pennekamp waters. Kayaks, canoes and paddle boards can be rented at the park.
While you’re at the park, meet the wild tamarind trees along the Tamarind Trail. The tropical tree naturally occurs in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, Cuba, the Bahamas and in Florida’s three southernmost counties – Monroe, Miami-Dade and Collier. In addition to shade, Florida’s wild tamarind blooms provide nectar for cassius blue and mangrove skipper butterflies.
Birds, bees and butterflies aren’t the only species attracted to the mangrove’s neighbourhood. Mangroves filter sediments and supply nutrients to adjacent seagrass and coral reef communities, keeping these habitats healthy and productive.
Pennekamp’s coral reefs support sponges, shrimp, crabs, turtles, lobsters and hundreds of species of tropical fish. You can enjoy the colourful underwater scenes from a glass-bottom catamaran or dive under the warm coastal waters with snorkeling or scuba gear.
Mangroves are part of the South Florida life support system. Standing where fresh water meets the sea, mangroves benefit from both worlds. In turn, mangroves pass along benefits to the creatures of the sea and the creatures of the shore, including humans.
When you visit …
Where to sleep
Both John Pennekamp Coral Reef and Collier-Seminole state parks provide campsites with water, electricity and picnic tables. Rustic cabins at Oleta River State Park accommodate overnight guests. No camping equipment? No problem. A multitude of resorts, hotels, inns and bed and breakfast establishments in South Florida can provide a room with a view. Many have earned a Green Lodging designation for practices that conserve and protect natural resources.
Where to eat
From fast food to five star, restaurants in the area are plentiful. Many eateries serve up fresh Florida seafood. Ask a local for recommendations.
Where to find more info
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) manages 161 state parks and trails, 41 aquatic preserves and, with NOAA, three National Estuarine Research Reserves. FDEP also designates and recognizes lodging facilities that conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources.
Florida State Parks and Trails: FloridaStateParks.org
Florida Aquatic Preserves, National Estuarine Research Reserves: www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/aquatic.htm
Florida Green Lodging list: www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/lodges_south.htm