Photo Interpretation Key - Southwest Florida Water Management ...

6.3 CLASSIFICATION CODE: 6120
Level I: Wetlands
Level II: Wetland Hardwood Forest
Level III: Mangrove Swamps
Minimum delineation area: 1/2 acre
This class is used for communities in which mangrove species are pure or predominant .
Mangroves appear as a medium height (10 to 20 feet) thicket of fleshy leaved woody
plants in coastal areas subject to periodic or continual inundation by salt or brackish
water. In many sites mangroves are prevented from reaching tree stature (20 feet) by
natural processes, including climate, nutrients, and wave action.
The communities are dominated by one or more mangrove species, including red, black
and white mangroves (Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, or Laguncularia
racemosa). Associate species that may also be present include buttonwood, cabbage
palm and sea grape. Herbaceous associates include sea grape and sea oxeye
(borrichia).
RECOGNITION FEATURES:
Primarily found in, but not limited to, coastal areas subject to periodic or continual
inundation by salt or brackish water.
Plants may be shrubs or trees, and occur in pure or predominant stands.
Broad crowns and bright red color return
In areas where water levels have been artificially altered (mosquito
impoundments) and held too high for too long, plants (especially black
mangroves) become stressed and may drop their leaves resulting in a bright
greenish color and a rough or stippled texture.
Red mangroves extend to the open water, with black mangroves towards the
landwards edge, and white mangrove in the most landward, least inundated.
Page 117 of 173 Photo Interpretation Key for Land Use Classification Jan. 15, 2010