Mangroves may refer to the constituent plants of tropical intertidal forest communities or to the whole community itself.

They are common on mudflats and banks of tropical

and subtropical rivers and coastlines, existing at the boundary of land and water and receiving nutrients from both environments. They possess morphological, physiological,
biochemical and reproductive adaptations that enable them to grow in the unstable and harsh tropic intertidal environment. Morphological and ecophysiological characteristics
and adaptations of mangroves include aerial roots, viviparous embryos, tidal dispersal of propagules, rapid rates of canopy production, frequent absence of an understorey,
absence of growth rings, wood with narrow, densely distributed vessels, highly efficient nutrient retention mechanisms, and the ability to cope with salt and to maintain water
and carbon balance. Mangroves are distributed circumtropically. Their distribution is determined by latitude, temperature (air temperature >20ºC; water temperature ≥24ºC)
and coastal aridity. Rainfall also influences mangrove distribution, largely by its effect on salinity. Mangroves are almost exclusively tropical and are confined between 30ºN and
30ºS latitudes. On a global scale, the essential environmental prerequisites for mangrove development are temperature, mud substrate, protection, salt water, tidal range,
ocean currents, and shallow shores. The mangrove ecosystem is a valuable economic and ecological resource. Mangroves are an important source of plant and wood products.
Mangroves protect shorelines during storms and typhoons by absorbing wave energy and reducing water velocity. Their root system assists in binding sediment particles,
thereby facilitating accretion and preventing coastal erosion. Riverine mangroves reduce water velocity by adding flood storage capacity, thus mitigating flooding. Mangroves
maintain estuarine water quality. Suspended matter, nutrients and heavy metals are reduced by the mangrove root system. The sediment and nutrient retention function of
mangroves provide waters suitable for seagrass and coral reef development. Mangroves also function as a nursery habitat. As a habitat for a range of organisms, both from the
terrestrial and aquatic environments, mangroves themselves are unique systems with very high biodiversity. Approximately 73 species of plants, belonging to 28 genera and 21
families, are recognized throughout the world as being mangroves. The most diverse mangrove forests are found in Southeast Asia. Of these 73 species, 37 are found in the
Philippines. This Field Guide to Mangrove Identification and Community Structure Analysis provides a key and images of plants and plant parts for identifying Philippine
mangrove species. This guide was designed for field use by researchers, government agencies, NGOs, academicians and students who are actively involve in mangrove research.
Aside from the identification key, the guide includes a definition of terms used, species codes used when identifying mangroves in the field, instructions on how to lay-out
quadrats and conduct mangrove community structure analysis and the equations needed for the analysis.