Trees with Feet in the Sea
Can a tree live in the ocean? Most trees need fresh water to grow. If they drink salty water, they wither and die.
Mangrove trees are different. They grow right where the land meets the ocean. Here, river water and salty sea water mix together. Scientists call this brackish water. Mangrove trees have special ways to filter out the salt so they can drink.
Look closely at a mangrove tree. It looks like it is standing on tall stilts. These are stilt roots. The roots arch high above the muddy ground and reach down into the water. They hold the tree up against the wind and the rushing tides.
These tangled roots make a safe home. Small fish, crabs, and baby shrimp hide between the roots. Big ocean fish cannot squeeze inside to catch them. The mangrove forest acts like a gentle nursery for young animals while they grow.
Mangroves also protect people who live near the coast. A huge mangrove forest called the Sundarbans grows across parts of India and Bangladesh. When big ocean storms hit the coast, massive waves crash in. The strong mangrove roots slow down the waves like a giant wooden fence. The roots keep the land from washing away.
Every year on July 26, people around the world celebrate mangrove forests. These tough trees protect sea creatures and humans alike.
- fresh water:
- Water that is not salty, like the water found in lakes and rivers.
- filter:
- To clean or take out parts that are not wanted.
- stilts:
- Tall posts or poles that lift something high above the ground or water.
- tides:
- The regular rise and fall of ocean water throughout the day.
- coast:
- The area of land that is right next to the sea or ocean.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What kind of water do most trees need to grow?
- 2Where do mangrove trees grow?
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About this explanatory article passage for Lower Elementary
“Trees with Feet in the Sea” is a explanatory article reading passage about Mangrove Forests, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (225 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.