Mangroves of Africa

Abstract

Mangroves are the dominant vegetation of over 70% of tropical and sub-tropical coastlines around the world (Fig. 2.1). Mangrove ecosystems are estimated to cover 150 000 km2 world-wide, of which Africa has about 35 000 km2 (Diop 1992, 1993). They constitute complex forests with high wood biomass and structural complexity. A significant feature of mangroves is their ability to develop morphological, physiological and reproductive adaptations, which enable them to colonise salty, waterlogged and erratic soil conditions. The mangroves are characterised by high primary production and play vital roles in the transfer of nutrients (Fig. 2.2), especially of carbon from the land to the sea, and serve either as sources or sinks in the global cycle of such substances (Lacerda and Novelli 1992). They are found in all countries along the western coast of the African continent, from Mauritania in the north, (Iles Tidra 19°50′ N) to Angola in the south (Angola estuary of the Rio Longo, 10°18′ S (Spalding et al. 1997).