The world honoured mangrove trees on July 26, an International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem Day declared by UNESCO in 2015. These odd gnarly trees stabilise coastlines in the tropics, reduce erosion from storm surges, currents, waves and tides. Its intertwined roots provide refuge from predators for forest-living animals, including the Bengal Tiger in Bangladesh.
Mangroves are prolific ecosystems, supporting rich biodiversity and their soils act as effective carbon sinks. According to UNESCO, some countries lost more than 40% of their mangroves between 1980 and 2005 with floods and mud slides devastating entire coastal towns and subsequent loss of human life and habitat for forest wildlife. UNESCO’s protection of the mangrove ecosystem involves the inclusion of mangroves in Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage sites and UNESCO Global Geoparks[ as well as the protection of the blue carbon ecosystem.[5]
Carbon Storers
Mangroves absorb and store large amounts of carbon from the air but make up less than 2% of the ocean’s surface. However, they hold 10%-15% of its carbon reserves. It’s estimated that mangroves absorb about 75 billion pounds of carbon per year. It is considered a keystone according to scientists and plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and health of the Earth’s coastal ecosystems.
Shrinking Habitats and Disappearing Rainforests
However, Mangrove habitats are shrinking much faster than the rainforest is disappearing. Aquaculture, coastal development, rice and palm oil farming and industrial activities threaten existing habitats and the prosperity of species which rely on their protection.
African Mangrove Forests
In a recently published review in ScienceDirect by G Naidoo, Mangroves are critically important ecosystems covering 147,359 km2 worldwide in 118 countries including West, East and South Africa, occurring in intertidal areas of tropical and temperate regions.
They are the only forests situated at the confluence of land and sea and fringe sheltered coastlines with low wave energy such as shallow lagoons, river deltas and estuaries. Mangrove forests are dominated by a small group of species that evolved special adaptations to survive in saline, intertidal environments.
The Canopy Project
The Mangroves planted by EARTHDAY.ORG’s Canopy Project contributes to restoring forest habitats, the refuge of wildlife. As part of this project, 100,000 seedlings were recently planted on 10 hectares of land in Bangladesh. This will bolster mangrove forests along rivers and help restore local fisheries and communities.
