7 Fascinating Facts About Mangroves You Need to Know About
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Loading... - Jamila Sama
- 24 Aug 2022
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Mangroves populations have been diminishing every year due to coastal development, conversion for aquaculture, and overexploitation, with an estimated quarter of the existing population being lost within the last four decades. Here are 7 facts about these incredibly unique and spectacular trees and why it’s so important for us to protect and conserve them.
7 Fascinating Facts About Mangroves
1. Mangroves Are Some of the Most Important Carbon Sinks on the Planet
Mangrove trees are instrumental in mitigating the effects of climate change and have the capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide, effectively stopping greenhouse gasses from entering the atmosphere. They have been recorded to absorb almost 10 times as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than terrestrial forests. However due to deforestation, the development of shrimp farms along the coasts and other forms of aquaculture, it’s been estimated that the planet lost at least 35% of all mangrove forests between 1980 and 2000.
2. Mangroves Act As Coastal Defence Against Floods and Tsunami
Mangrove forests are incredibly effective in rapidly reducing strong wind and waves as they pass through, and act as a powerful coastal defence against major storms and hurricanes as well as the impact of flooding. Wide areas of mangroves can help reduce the height of tsunami as it breaches the coast, reducing the potential loss of life and property. Additionally, the dense roots of these trees help bind and build soils, which slow down water flows and reduce erosion and sea level rises.
3. Mangroves Can Help Mitigate Coral Bleaching
One of the most devastating effects of the climate crisis is coral bleaching, where warming temperatures of the ocean severely impacts and very often, permanently damages the health of coral reefs and its ecosystems. However, healthy mangrove forests have the capability of providing shelter for coral species at risk from coral bleaching, as well as reducing ocean acidification. Read More...
