Mangrove Communities:

1.) Overwash Mangrove Forests: These are often isolated islands that are frequently overwashed by tidal currents. All species of mangroves may be present, but the red mangroves will dominate around the perimeter of the island (most seaward). Eventually these overwash forests may trap enough sediment for other coastal plants to become established.

2.) Fringe Mangrove Forests: Mangroves can form a relatively thin fringe along waterways. A steeply sloping shoreline can cause zonation to be compressed into a relatively narrow area.

3.) Riverine Mangrove Forests: These are well developed at the deltas of tropical rivers such as the Amazon or along the coat of Central America. These typically tall, flood-plain forests are flushed daily with tidal currents, and seasonally experience extensive flooding.

4.) Basin Mangrove Forests: These forests occur inland in depressions channeling run-off towards the ocean. A basin forest could develop along dredge waterways that allow saltwater intrusion up rivers and waterways. Further inland white and black mangroves would dominate.

5.) Hammock Forests: Hammock mangrove communities are similar to basin-type communities except they occur on slightly higher ground (5 to 10 cm elevation above mean tide). This allows the establishment of white and gray mangroves. Trees generally do not grow very tall.

6.) Scrub or Dwarf forests: This community type is unique to th Florida Keys and the Bahamas. All species are present, but the trees are very small (less than 1.5 meters), sparsely populating the flat coastal fringe areas. These trees may be quite old (tens of years) but are dwarfed due to low nutrient input and poor substrate (limestone marl).