mangrove swamp

Muddy swamp found on tropical coasts and estuaries, characterized by dense thickets of mangrove trees. These low trees are adapted to live in creeks of salt water and send down special breathing roots from their branches to take in oxygen from the air. The roots trap silt and mud, creating a firmer drier environment over time. Mangrove swamps are common in the Amazon delta and along the coasts of West Africa, northern Australia, and Florida, USA.