mangrove trees - guardians of coastal ecosystems
When we envision trees, we often imagine towering giants in forests far from the shores. However, a group of trees defy this norm, Mangrove trees. A group of salt trees and shrubs that are found in tropical and subtropical regions on the world’s coastlines, they are survivors. Their roots are submerged in water, thriving in hot, muddy, salty conditions that would quickly kill most plants. They have impressive adaptations such as a filtration system that removes excess salt, a complex root system that holds the mangrove upright in the shifting sediments where land and water meet and their seeds float in the water until they find a proper spot to grow. Not to mention they have a multitude of benefits to both the environment and local communities.
BENEFITS OF MANGROVE TREES
Mangrove trees are distinctly different from North American trees, they are versatile and have numerous environmental advantages. One of the most striking differences between mangrove trees is they are salt-tolerant with the ability to thrive in salty or brackish water conditions. They have specialized mechanisms to filter out excess salt, such as salt-excreting glands on their leaves, to cope with high salinity levels in coastal soils and water. Mangroves absorb enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. They have complex root systems that filter nitrates, phosphates, and other pollutants from the water, improving the water quality, flowing from rivers and streams into the ocean. These dense roots intertwine to help bind and encourage sediment deposits that reduce coastal erosion. Mangroves reproduce through propagules which are buoyant seeds that can float on water and be distributed by ocean currents, including big storms until they find suitable locations to take root. This adaptation aids in their dispersion along coastlines. This makes mangroves among the most productive and biologically complex ecosystems on Earth, covering large areas and acting as a bridge connecting the land and sea. In some areas of the world, they are massive aquatic forests. This diverse ecosystem provides local communities with an abundance of resources to support their livelihoods and economies.
WHY ARE MANGROVE FORESTS IMPORTANT
Mangroves play a crucial role in stabilizing coastlines and preventing erosion, thereby protecting valuable land. The complicated root systems of the mangrove trees absorb the impact from the waves of the ocean that bring sand, dirt, and silt particles causing build-up. However, the roots hold onto these sediments to reduce erosion and improve water quality. They absorb nutrients from the runoff and further purify the water which coral reefs and seagrass beds rely on. This enhances coastal resilience by becoming a natural barrier, reducing the impact of storm surges, high waves, and rising sea levels. They help protect coastal communities from the devastating effects of hurricanes and tsunamis. Researchers have found that a 2-meter-wide strip of mangroves along the shore can reduce the height of a wave by 90%! They also found mangrove forests helped reduce shoreline damage during the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami and Tropical Storm Wilma in Belize.
Mangroves are the second-highest carbon-capturing ecosystems on Earth. They have an enormous capacity for sucking up carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses and trapping them in flooded soils for millennia. They are among the most carbon-rich tropical forests and can sequester up to 10 times as much carbon compared to terrestrial forests (such as tundra, tropical rainforests, grasslands, and deserts). As the trees grow, they rapidly convert carbon dioxide into their leaves, roots, and branches. When the leaves and older trees die, they fall to the ocean floor, where they are buried in the soil, along with the stored carbon. This is known as ‘blue carbon’ because it is stored underwater in the coastal ecosystems. This results in a net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere making mangroves essential allies in the fight against climate change.
Mangrove ecosystems support a diverse range of species, including fish, crustaceans, birds, and mammals. They serve as breeding grounds, nurseries, and feeding areas for numerous marine and terrestrial organisms. Mangrove habitats preserve biodiversity, support fisheries, and ensure food security, and their dense canopies of leaves provide shade and habitat for a variety of wildlife, as well as protection against strong coastal winds and storm surges.
The local communities use the resources from mangrove ecosystems to support their livelihoods and boost local economies. The wood is used to build houses, furniture, fences, bridges, fishing poles and traps, canoes, rafts, and boats. People who live in mangrove forests often rely on fishing to make a living. The forests provide an ample supply of food, such as seafood, fruit, fiber, honey, and medicines. Many of the products from mangroves are used in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and insecticides.
THREATS TO MANGROVE FORESTS
Mangroves are of critical importance to the planet, our coastlines, ecosystems, and the local communities, however, they are disappearing at an extremely alarming rate worldwide. Coastal development, rice and palm oil farming, water pollution, aquaculture, dredging, development, and industrial activity are some of the reasons for rapidly replacing mangrove forests and the ecosystems they support. The rate these forests have been disappearing is higher than the rate at which tropical rainforests are being cleared. When mangrove forests are cleared and destroyed, they release the previously trapped, massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
WHERE TO FIND MANGROVE TREES
Mangroves primarily flourish in coastal regions of tropical and subtropical areas. They are particularly abundant in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brazil, Madagascar, and the coastal regions of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico in the United States.
Mangrove trees provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits, making them an essential part of coastal ecosystems. Their unique adaptations and numerous benefits make them indispensable to our world. From protecting coastlines to preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change, mangrove trees are true guardians of coastal ecosystems. To secure a sustainable future, it is imperative we continue to plant and protect mangroves, ensuring their legacy lives on for generations to come, as they are crucial for both local communities and the planet.
FUN FACT - Aiya ayiA plants a Mangrove tree in Madagascar with every order with their eco-partner Tree Era.
