OnthecoastofBrazilliethelongestcontinuousmangroveforests.Treesherearemorethan40meters(131 feet)high.TheycanstoretwiceasmuchcarboninthesoilasthenearbyAmazon rainforest.

Mangrovesteemwithlife.Crabs,fishes,birds,insects,andcrocodilesfindfoodandhomeshere.Astrikingmangrovebirdisthescarlet ibis.

Shipwormskeepmangroveshealthybyeatingdeadwood.Crabs,fishes,birds,andinsectsfindfoodandhomeshere.Thistransfersnutrientsfromonelivingthingtoanother.Thewetlandsarecriticalforfisheriesandthetimber industry.

Wecanseehowmangrovesprotectusfromnaturalhazards.Theyformalivingbarrierthatsheltersusfrom storms.

Mangrovesreducetheimpactofwavesandhighwinds.Theytrapcarbon,too.Thedenserootsofmangroveshelptobuildandbind.Theabovegroundrootsslowdownwaterflow.Thatreduces erosion.

Mangrovesareimportantplaces.Wemustlearntoprotecttheminreturnforthemprotecting us.