紅樹林 Mangrove
紅樹林是一個潮間帶的濕地生態環境之一。這類的生境主要位處於遮蔽的海岸線上，由於所在的位置較少受到海浪的沖擊，豐富的有機物質慢慢沉澱累積，也做就了適合紅樹生長的環境。因為紅樹林生境不斷受淡水和鹹水的沖洗，以致鹽度、含氧度和土壤濕度變化不定。為克服嚴竣的生長環境，紅樹演化出不同的身體結構，如板根、呼吸根、能排走鹽份的腺體等等來適應。
香港大約有六十片紅樹林，面積總佔五百一十多公頃，平均分佈於全港六個地方，如西貢、大嶼山、香港島等等，而常見的本土紅樹品種包括：秋茄和桐花樹，共十一種，其餘為類紅樹品種。紅樹林有著重要的生態價值，其落葉提供了主要食糧給在該處棲息的動物，縱橫交錯的根部亦建構成一個安全的庇護所及養育場所予不同物種的幼體。對人類而言，紅樹林是一個天然的堤壩抵受海浪，也是一個天然的過濾器吸收水中有害的物質。
Mangrove is one of the intertidal habitats. Most mangrove is located along sheltered shoreline. Receiving fewer onshore wave and tidal action, organic matter can easily be accumulated through sedimentation, which constructs a habitat favoring mangrove growth. The environment in mangrove habitat is full of unpredictability in terms of salinity, dissolved oxygen level and soil moisture. In order to overcome the rigors, different mangrove species have evoled different related adaptive features, such as buttress roots, stilt roots, salt glands etc.
In Hong Kong, there are around 60 populations of mangroves, widely distributed in six of the intertidal habitats with a total area of 510 hectares. Common local true mangrove includes Water-pen (Kandelia obovata) and River Mangrove (Aegiceruas corniculatum), up to 11 species. Others belong to associative mangroves. Mangrove offers a critically important habitat for different species at different growth stages as a shelter, feeding, breeding and nursery ground. To us, mangrove provides ecosystem services as a breakwater and a toxic solvent filter.
