As mangroves are located at intertidal zones, sea water may bring some soil out to the sea. Therefore we can expect that the soils of mangroves are quite shallow. To cope with this, some adaptations had been developed by mangrove plant species.

Widespread root system

Widespread root systems - Intertidal mangrove plants usually have shallow widespread roots. These type of roots work much more efficient on holding the plant at the intertidal zone than those deep narrow-spread roots. Besides main root systems, aerial roots of certain plant species also help to maintain the plant upright.

As the mangrove environment makes reproduction difficult, so mangrove plants usually have following adaptations:

Pollination

Pollination by insects - Mangrove plant species produce flowers and then rely on bees or insects for pollination.

Vivipary - Once pollination has occured (by insects, wind, water, etc), the embryo develops continuously while attached to the parent tree and during dispersal. The embryo germinates and grows roots before being dislodged and finally becomes a capsule. This is called vivipary. It gives the young tree a better chance to establish itself in the sediment before being swept away by the outgoing tides.

A capsule

Capsule - As the capsule is continuously growing, it becomes heavier and heavier. Finally, it drops from its parent tree and being carried by the water currents. The capsule is capable of floating on water since its outer free end is heavier. When the capsule comes to a suitable location (shallow enough for anchorage), it will anchor itself and continue the growth to a new mangrove tree. With the capsule, the seed can survive longer, otherwise it would sink beneath the mud and dispersal becomes not possible.