An overview of the adaptive variations in mangroves

Mangrove species grow on saline soils of the tropical and subtropical coasts, which are permanently or periodically flooded. The mangroves are halophytes having certain traits which help them to survive in differing levels of salinity, drought, inundation and extreme temperatures. They can remarkably normalize ion homeostasis in brackish conditions by salt secretion, ultra filtration and ion appropriation. These plants have different developmental, physiological and anatomical adaptations as compared to a normal tree, which allow their survival in high stress habitat. This review is focused on those features of the mangroves that help them to adjust and grow extensively in the saline rich coastal regions, which make mangrove species physiologically different from other trees.