Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 1/7/2010

Question
hi, i need help on finding the temperature and precipitation for mangrove swamps (biome) , its for a project and i have to make a graph for each. please help me, im stuck and i cant find information on the net

Answer
Dear Bryan,

I can't do your project research for you, but I can point you in some good directions.

A very good web site on biomes, including information on temperature, precipitation, etc. can be found here:

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/biome_main.htm

The problem, though, is that "mangrove swamps" are not really considered biomes as much as they are a component of some types of tropical and subtropical ecosystems.  The annual rainfall and precipitation of any given mangrove forest will depend on where that forest is.  

However, I think you will be able to find some excellent information on mangroves in many areas of the world if you start here:

http://www.mangroveactionproject.org/

If you combine a search for a map of the mangroves forests of the world along with the biome maps in the first web site above, you will probably be able to do a good job of figuring out some typical figures for your project.

Also note that a mangrove isn't a swamp.  The definition of a "swamp" is a wetland in which the water is stagnant.  A marsh, on the other hand, is a place where water moves.  And because in most mangrove forests the water is very dynamic, they really shouldn't be called swamps.

Good luck on your project!

Dana