Gray mangrove
More information on Gray mangrove
Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. 1907
Gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) or locally known as ‘ghurm’, is the only mangrove species occurring in the United Arab Emirates. The bulk of the mangroves in the UAE (approximately 85%) occur in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is estimated that mangroves in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi cover an area of around 40 km² (2001). A. marina is a shrub to medium sized tree, 2-8 m, found from downstream to intermediate estuarine zones in all intertidal regions. It is shade intolerant with a maximum porewater salinity of 85 ppt having optimal growth occurring at a salinity of 0-30 ppt. It is a hardy species in natural conditions and has a high tolerance to hypersaline conditions.
This species is widespread and common throughout its range spanning from East Africa through Asia to Australia.
The above ground root system of Avicennia marina is characterized by upright pencil-like pneumatophores which originate from an underground cable root. The length of these pneumatophores seem to be dependent on inundation time. More uncommon on Avicennia marina are short aerial roots originating directly on the stem, usually very close to the ground, but often just hanging from the stem without anchoring in the ground.
Mangrove habitats constitute one of the most productive ecosystems, significantly contributing to marine primary productivity of coastal waters in the areas of their occurrence.
Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
