Protecting from predators, strong heat, and forceful tides mangrove roots help the biosphere and remove five times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than terrestrial forests
July 26th : International Day for the Conservation of Mangroves
July 26 marks the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the critical role of mangroves in promoting sustainable coastal development. Adopted by UNESCO in the General Conference of 2015 to raise awareness about the value of mangrove ecosystems and their conservation. This day aims to promote the sustainable growth and conservation of mangrove forests and to encourage people to take action to protect them.
Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed a huge loss of mangrove forests. In fact, since 1980, we have lost approximately half of the world’s mangrove forests, with some countries losing more than 80% of their mangrove population. This loss has global consequences in terms of biodiversity, coastal protection, and climate change mitigation.
Their unique ecosystems that can withstand harsh environmental conditions such as high salinity, tidal flooding, and low oxygen levels. These conditions make them one of the few plant species that can survive in these saline swamps.
Roots and an intricate ecological network – to promote biodiversity
Mangrove forests are critical ecosystems that support and promote biodiversity. These forests are located at the boundary between coastal and terrestrial ecosystems, providing a diverse array of habitats for a vast range of species. This diversity includes not only marine organisms but also terrestrial and estuarine species, making mangrove forests a crucial hub for biodiversity.
Several threatened and endangered species, such as the hawksbill turtle, the Bengal tiger, and various water bird species, rely on mangrove forests for their survival. The forests also provide an essential stopover for migratory birds along their migratory paths. Mangrove forests also contribute to the survival of nearby ecosystems through their sediment trapping and filtration processes. The forests’ role in trapping sediment helps to stabilize the coastline, preventing erosion and reducing the impact of waves and tides on adjacent ecosystems.
How mangroves provide protection to corals from the effects of climate change
In addition, mangroves provide refuge for corals from the harsh effects of ocean acidification, contributing to the survival of these species. As well as providing protection to corals from the effects of climate change. As ocean temperatures continue to rise, coral reefs are increasingly threatened by bleaching, which can lead to the death of the organisms that live within and depend upon them. Mangrove forests may offer a buffer against rising sea temperatures and acidity, providing shade and a more stable environment for corals to thrive.
Mangrove forests are also a diverse group of organisms, with approximately 70 species documented worldwide, each with its unique characteristics and adaptations to survive in these saline swamps. The intricate root systems of mangrove forests make them resilient to strong ocean currents and waves, providing a rich habitat for a vast array of organisms such as fishes, crustaceans, and birds.
The deforestation of Mangrove
Threats over the years that mangroves have faced are due to human activities such as deforestation, land-use change, and climate change. For decades, mangroves have been cut down for their wood, used for charcoal production, and cleared for land use such as agriculture and urbanization. Rivers are frequently diverted to make way for roads, buildings, or to supply water to farming fields, leading to habitat disruption in mangrove forests.
Shrimp farming is one of the primary threats to mangrove forests. This process involves the uprooting of a large part of the forest to create closed ponds for breeding shrimps. Involving the use of excessive antibiotics and chemicals, which damage the ecological balance of the forests irreparably.
The Endangered Mangroves – the tangled roots of the mangrove forest act as a nursery
The tangled roots of the mangrove forest act as a nursery for many organisms, protecting them from predators, strong heat, and forceful tides. Apart from supporting rich biodiversity, coastal forests remove five times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than terrestrial forests. By removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mangrove forests play a role in mitigating climate change.
While these salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in intertidal zones may look similar to other trees, their roots and growth habits are distinct adaptations to the harsh, saline environments in which they thrive. Mangrove roots come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the species and location.
The Mangrove roots: the prop root
One of the most common types of mangrove roots is the prop root, which grows vertically from the trunk of the tree and extends down into the soil, providing stability and support. Prop roots can be thick and woody, or thin and spindly, depending on the species.
The Mangrove roots: the pneumatophore
Another type of mangrove root is the pneumatophore, which grows vertically from the soil and protrudes above the surface of the water. Specialized structures that allow the tree to obtain oxygen from the air, even when the soil is saturated with water. They are typically found in areas with low oxygen levels, such as mudflats and mangrove swamps.
Known for their ability to spread rapidly, both through vegetative growth and seed dispersal. Many mangrove species can reproduce asexually, sending out shoots from their roots or branches that take root and form new trees. This process, known as clonal growth, can allow a single mangrove tree to form a dense thicket over time.
Thanks to their roots mangroves play against rising waters and coastal stability
Mangroves serve as a natural coastal defense mechanism against storm surges, tsunamis, sea level rise, and erosion, while also acting as effective carbon sinks by sequestering large amounts of carbon. Coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, minimize flood damage to both people and property by serving as natural barriers to waves and storm surges.
Coastal regions usually resort to nature-based solutions, including mangroves as a way to combat and adapt to the rising sea levels and increasing storm surges. In many cases, hybrid infrastructure is utilized to provide long-term resilience and cost-effective outcomes that traditional solutions cannot achieve on their own.
These below- and above-ground roots of the Mangroves
The strong root systems of mangrove trees create a natural barrier against violent storm surges and floods. These above-ground roots slow water flow, enhance sediment deposition, and prevent erosion. Mangrove plants also protect against corrosion and improve sedimentation by reducing wave energy and preventing water from dislodging sediments and carrying them away from the mangrove area.
Furthermore, mangrove forests stabilize the coastline by limiting erosion and shielding coastal communities from the destructive forces of tropical storms, as they reduce erosion caused by storm surges, currents, waves, and tides.
Mangroves as a food source: where land meets the sea
Mangroves are vital to the wellbeing of coastal communities that depend on them. These ecosystems provide many benefits to human societies, including food security, livelihoods, and protection from natural disasters.
Big contribution of mangroves to human wellbeing is their role in providing food security. Mangroves serve as nurseries for many fish and other marine species, making them a crucial source of food for local communities. Almost 80% of global fish catches are directly or indirectly dependent on mangroves, making mangroves provide ideal locations for aquaculture, which is the fastest-growing food-producing sector in the world, although often at the cost of destroying mangrove forests.
Despite this, there are movements in place to encourage more sustainable forms of aquaculture that complement the local environment instead of destroying it. Mangroves also provide other food products, including honey, algae, fruit, salt, and leaves for livestock feed, contributing to the food security of coastal communities.
Mangroves as water purificators
Mangroves contribute with a great impact on local livelihoods, providing employment opportunities for coastal populations across the globe via the fisheries and tourism that they support. Mangroves also provide valuable timber for firewood and construction in local communities In addition to also detoxifying wastes and providing water purification services benefiting nearby communities.
Mangroves are said to provide protection against coastal erosion, storm surge, and sea-level rise, reducing wave heights by up to 31%. This reduction helps to protect homes, property, and infrastructure from dangerous flooding. Beyond these tangible benefits, mangroves offer value in the form of aesthetics, culture, spirituality, and recreation.
A global celebration for a fragile ecosystem – Mangroves
The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is a reminder of the value of protecting and conserving these unique and valuable ecosystems. It highlights the need for urgent action to halt and reverse the decline of mangroves worldwide, ensuring that they continue to provide essential ecosystem services and benefits to both humans and the environment. Conserving mangrove ecosystems ensures that they continue to thrive and contribute to global sustainability.
Efforts to conserve and restore mangroves include the establishment of protected areas, reforestation programs, and sustainable management practices. These efforts have helped to increase the resilience and survival of mangrove ecosystems, ensuring that they continue to provide essential ecosystem services to both humans and the environment.
Mangroves
Mangroves are a type of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in tropical and subtropical coastal areas. They have evolved to survive in harsh conditions where the land meets the sea and provide a range of ecosystem services that benefit both humans and the environment. Mangroves play a critical role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and fisheries support but have faced challenges due to human activities such as deforestation, land-use change, and climate change.
