Mangroves are a group of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in coastal zones, brackish water, and estuarine environments. This unique group is often found in tropical and subtropical regions, where they thrive in the transition zone between land and sea. Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems by providing habitat for a diverse range of marine and terrestrial species, protecting shorelines from erosion, and serving as nurseries for many fish and crustaceans. 

They are characterized by their ability to withstand high levels of salt in both the soil and water and often have specialized root systems, such as prop roots, to anchor themselves in the muddy or sandy substrate.

TFS manages about 158,000 hectares of mangroves along the shores of the Indian Ocean in different parts of Tanzania. There are four types of mangrove forests located in Tanzania: Riverine mangroves: Pangani, Wami, Ruvu and Ruvuma rivers Lagoon mangroves: Mkinga, Tanga, Kipumbwi-Sange, Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam, Mkurunga, Kilwa, Lindi, Mtwara; Coastal fringing mangroves: Islands of Mafia, Pemba and Unguja Overwash mangroves: Small islands around Pemba