We first encountered these mangrove forrests in 2014 on our very first trip to Penyabong. At that time, the water level came several feet up the trunk of these trees but today the tide was out. Indeed the tide was very low indeed so we could walk on sand banks we had not seen before.
What was noticeable were the large number of smaller mangrove trees which had established themselves here. Hanis was delighted to see this because she brings school groups here (part of Radiant Retreats' Educational Camps) during which time they learn about the role of the mangroves and help plant seeds dropped from the mature trees.
Here you can see the extensive horizontal roots of this particular strain of mangrove tree, these allow the tree to be better anchored in the unstable mud. You can also see the mass of erect roots (pneumatophores) which allow the tree to obtain oxygen when not submerged under water.
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