Mangroves have the incredible ability to improve water quality. Their incredible web of roots holds onto sediments in the water, reducing  erosion and leading to better water quality.
Additionally, mangroves absorb nutrients from runoff that could potentially cause harmful algal blooms offshore. In an age of increasing frequency of toxic algal blooms here in South Florida, conserving our native mangroves is more important than ever.
Amazingly, both coral reefs and seagrass beds are reliant on the water purifying ability of nearby mangrove forests to keep the water clear and healthy. If we want to keep all these natural ecosystems safe and clean, the conservation of mangrove forests is the place to start.
Because of their incredible abilities to filter water, the quality of the water that surrounds mangroves should be very high. Using the resources from EarthEcho International, The Grove Project has committed to monitoring a local body of water, Lake Worth Lagoon, that is surrounded by mangrove forests every month in order to insure that this water quality stays clean and healthy and is not affected by human behavior.
Mangroves do their job in our environment as natural water monitors; now, we are giving back in our own water monitoring efforts, to help conserve these natural beauties. Check in every month for blog posts with results!