The term mangrove refers to a category of plants that are adapted to enviroments that have high salinity and are periodicly floaded. Mangrove forests grow in tropical and subtropical areas and they are most abundant on the coasts of Asia, Africa and South America. In the mangrove forests we find a great number of animal and plant species. The forests serve as a home or shelter. Out of plant species only 54 of them from 16 familys are considered true mangrove species that are rare outside of typical mangrove environments. Since they grow in specific environments by the coasts and estuaries, they have many adaptations to high salinity, anoxy and frequent floadings wich allows them to live in such extreme enviroments. Every species is adapted somewhat better or worse to that conditions, wich determins zonation of species on the coasts. Mangrove forests are extremly important environments. They are highly productive, they offer a home and protection to many organisms. They protect the coastal regions from strong winds, waves and floods. They also prevent erosion of sediments with their complex rooting system and they maintain the quality of watter. Mangrove forests are one of the most endangered tropical ecosystems. More than 35% of the forests is destroyed, wich is best seen on developed coastal regions of India, Vietnam and Phillipines. Due to increasingly negative antropogenic influence and exploitation, high efforts are needed to preserve this precious ecosystem.