Trees become shorter and grow crooked rather than upright, and their leaves are smaller. Tropical species give way to those found more commonly in temperature forests such as oak, beech and conifer trees. Mangrove Rainforest Mangrove forests are found at the edge of the sea where regular flooding occurs. These roots, known as stilt or prop roots, trap debris which provide the trees with nutrients but are also important for stabilizing the shoreline. Mangrove forests range in stature from shrubs a few feet high to trees which can reach heights of 80 ft.
Mangroves are home to many bird species and mollusks.
Indigenous people are the true custodians of the forest. They know which forest plant and animal species are safe to use as food and medicines, knowledge which may help us in our search for cures for disease and illness and food for our growing world population. Every single year a tribe in Brazil alone has become extinct this century. According to a report by the World Bank, Brazil's Indian population was five million in 1500. Today it is under 200,000.