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Mangroves are of strong ecological importance as they provide food, essential
habitat and nursery grounds for vast numbers of fish and aquatic life.
They also have an important role in the water cycle, maintaining water
quality by trapping sediments and also form vital coastal protection,
protecting the land from erosion and strong wave action. However mangrove
forests are threatened by human activity and have declined by nearly half
over the past decade.
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Coral reefs provide the first barrier against currents and strong waves.
When they are destroyed, the resulting stronger waves can wash away essential
nutrients and prevent mangrove seedlings form taking root.
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Unsustainable
commercial fishing disrupts the ecological balance of mangrove systems. |
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Mangrove forests are cleared to make room for agricultural land, coastal
development, shrimp aquaculture and salt farms.
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Overharvesting
of trees for construction wood, wood chip and pulp production destroys
huge areas of mangrove forest |
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Fertilisers, pesticides,
chemicals and oil can kill mangrove animals, smother roots and suffocate
trees. |
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River
changes such as dams and irrigation systems reduces the amount of freshwater
reaching
mangroves, altering salinity which affects their survival.. |
