The white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) is a moderately fast growing arboreal species that belongs to the Combretaceae family. It is a plant that lives in the mangroves from southern Florida to southern Brazil and northern Peru. This species of mangrove is also found on the coasts of West Africa.
The trees of the white mangrove are characterized by measuring approximately 15 meters high and presenting wading roots. The wood of L. racemosa is moderately heavy but not very durable.
Laguncularia racemosa. Photo by David Stang
The white mangrove is a very important tree for marine ecosystems, since it provides shelter and food for marine fauna. It also contributes to the restoration of mangroves, as it is a species of rapid establishment in these ecosystems.
characteristics
Tree
- Species: Laguncularia racemosa (L.) CF Gaertner- white mangrove.
Applications
Basically the importance of the white mangrove is to provide shelter and food for the fauna that grows in coastal environments. In addition, it is a plant used for the restoration of mangrove ecosystems, given its adaptive capacity and rapid growth.
According to FAO, mangroves provide socio-economic benefits to society in an indirect way. Since it has been shown that fishing practices have better performance if carried out in undisturbed environments.
Thus, it has been estimated that there may be a gain of approximately $ 126 / ha / year, if fishing is carried out in environments populated by mangroves. Similar performance can be obtained for the seafood industry.
In contrast, economic losses of approximately $ 100,000 per year have been estimated if mangrove ecosystems are disturbed. This leads to the conclusion that restoration practices are cheaper than continuing to exploit disturbed environments. This is where the importance of conserving the populations of Laguncularia racemosa lies.
In turn, the white mangrove is used as a source of wood for the local population. The infusion of the bark of this mangrove is used by the inhabitants as an astringent and as a tonic. In Brazil, the leaves of this tree are used in tanneries, due to their high tannin content.
References
- Allen, JA 2002. Laguncularia racemosa (L.) CF Gaertn. In: Vozzo, J., ed. Tropical Tree Seed Manual: Part II, Species Descriptions. Agric. Handb. 712. Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture: 537-539
- CONABIO-CONANP. 2009. White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa). Mexican species cards. National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity and National Commission for Protected Natural Areas, Mexico, DF Compiled by Elizabeth Torres Bahena; Reviewed by Carlos Galindo Leal.
- Francisco, AM, Díaz, M., Romano, M., Sánchez, F. 2009. Anatomical morpho description of the types of leaf glands in the white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa L. Gaertn (f.). Acta microscópica, 18 (3): 237-252.
- Geißler, N., Schenetter, R., Schenetter, ML The pneumathodes of Laguncularia racemosa: little knows rootlets of surprising structure, and notes on a new fluorescent dye for lipophilic substances. Plant Biol, 4: 729-739.
- Jiménez, JA. Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn.f. White Mangrove. SO-ITF-SM3. New Orleans, LA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 64 p
- Lewis, RR 2001. Mangrove Restoration - costs and measures of successful ecological restoration. Recovered at: FAO.org
- Santos, IV, Monteiro, JM, Botelho, JR, Almeida, JS 2009. Are Laguncularia racemosa galled leaves less attractive to chewing herbivores? Neotropical Biology and Conservation, 4 (2): 77-82.
- Sobrado, MA, Ewe, SML 2006. Ecophysiological characteristics of Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa coexisting in a scrub mangrove forest at the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Trees, 20: 679-687
- Sobrado, MA 2005. Leaf characteristics and gas Exchange of the mangrove Laguncularia racemosa as affected by salinity. Photosynthetica, 43 (2): 212-221.
- Universal Taxonomic Services. (2004-2019). Species Laguncularia racemosa (Linnaeus) CF Gaertner - white mangrove (plant). Taken from: taxonomicon.taxonomy.nl.