Due to an increased epibiontic population there is a tendency for mangrove ecosystems to act as consumers of 02 and a sink for nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Mangrove biomass is not totally reduced through decomposition. Litter that persists in absence of physical forces flushing the habitat may form peat. Red mangrove root material produces the most easily recognized peat reaching depths of several meters. The acidic nature of peat is capable of dissolving limestone underneath.
Acidity is due to the release of organic acids during anaerobic decomposition.
Reduced sulfur compounds are oxidized when drained and dried in the sun. These conditions are responsible for the characteristic smell of mangrove communities. Black mangroves take over the intertidal zone and predominate area covered by high tides. White mangroves appear in this area, but predominate along with Buttonwoods above the high tide line. However, there is much variation of this model from forest to forest.