The Mangrove Forests exhibit is situated in the Hall of Ocean Life at the American Museum of Natural History, where the huge blue whale is. As soon as I entered I noticed a dark light setting to mimic the under water feeling. The Mangrove forests is situated between the tree of life section where there is a “Life in Water” introduction and the Coral Reef exhibit. I believe the museum really tried to make this exhibit as realistic and interactive as possible to appeal to different age groups and only give few interesting details about Mangroves without overwhelming it with words. Placing this exhibit close to the entrance wants to give Mangroves a meaningful value and emphasize the importance of protecting them.
I chose the Mangrove Forest because I love these trees and I lived in Florida for some time, they are very common there but every time I see them I’m amazed. Their roots is home to many different species both under water and above water like crabs, fish, shrimps. It is one of the few tree who can survive in seawater. Mangroves have a very specific purpose for the planet as well, which is to act as foundation to many coastal ecosystems. They serve as shelter to juvenile fish and shrimp, they filter pollution and protect coastal communities from erosion.
Mangrove forests can be found in warm areas along the tropical coastlines of Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and the Caribbean. Even though cutting down mangroves is extremely harmful for marine life and coastal communities, today more than half of these forests are gone. Mangroves are disappearing faster than inland tropical rain forests- sometimes even through government-funded development projects. But in some places people have protected and restored mangroves as their true value becomes appreciated.