Mains Marathon

• Introduction to the mangroves.
• Briefly illustrate how global warming has an impact on the mangroves.
• Also discuss how the structural measures are sustainable in preserving coastal biodiversity and preventing the loss caused by climate change.
• Conclude suitably

Answer

A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. Mangroves occur worldwide in the tropics and subtropics and even some temperate coastal areas.

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees, also called halophytes, and are adapted to live in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and a complex root system to cope with saltwater immersion and wave action. They are adapted to the low-oxygen conditions of waterlogged mud.

Impact of global warming on the mangrove system.

The mangrove forest ecosystem in general shows “exceptional morphological and physiological adaptation skills to counter the environmental and natural stress associated with their intertidal habitat”.

However, sea-level rise is amongst the more critical of the various factors that contribute to the degradation of mangrove habitats. Changes in sea-level impact the structure, growth, and areal extent of the mangroves, while increase in temperature affects their density.

Global warming can lead to-

• Increased cyclones and extreme winds led to the loss of mangroves by physical destruction.
• Increased storm surge and tide leads to more coastal erosion that causes uprooting of mangrove forest.
• Increased global warming brings changes in species composition and brings invasive species and leads to destruction of mangrove species.
• Excessive siltation due to accelerated erosion can damage the Pneumatophores of mangrove and cause oxygen depletion.
• Change of precipitation pattern on land and water can reduce or increase freshwater supplies to mangroves and it leads to change in salinity composition along the coast and threaten the mangroves.
• Raising sea level leads to submergence of mangroves in low coastal areas.
• Changing land use due to global warming leads to destruction of mangroves by human action for agriculture and housing and land reclamation.
• In absence of fodder and fuel at land men and animals will consume mangroves as an alternative. e.g., Khari camel of Rann of Kachchh.

Example of loss of mangroves due to climate change:

As per the latest India State of Forest survey report, Sunderbans lost 2 sq km of mangrove cover, going from 2214 sq km to 2112.11 sq km, between 2017 and 2019. This loss was primarily driven by erosion and sea-level rise in the Bay of Bengal.

Green Structural measure at the coast

• Green structural measures refer to the coastal plants like Mangrove and coral ecosystem.
• Plantation of mangroves on the coast and between tidal range and cultivation of corals near the coast are very sustainable methods to reduce the adverse effects of climate change and global warming like cyclones, Strome, invasive species, etc.
• Physical presence of mangroves and corals can reduce the speed of cyclones, tides and storms.
• These forests provide food and shelter for other avifauna and marine species and provide rich coastal biodiversity.
• These structures also fulfil the needs of human beings ranging from fuel, food and fiber.
• These structures lead to a rich biodiversity which act as constraints against the expansion of invasive species and maintain exotic character of species.
• Apart from species advantage the structures also prevent accelerated erosion and runoff caused in absence of it.

Some of the steps taken to conserve mangroves are:

• Community-based restoration programme was carried out by local communities in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, where the community innovated new techniques for cultivation and plantation of mangroves, created a village-level Forest Conservation Council, and planted 6000 mangrove saplings in the district.
• In Gujarat, Sahjeevan, an NGO based in Kachchh initiated a photo story campaign to raise funds for the Camel Breeders Association of Kutch (Kuth Ucherak Maldhari Sangathan (KUUMS)) to “Save the Mangroves of Kandla from Salt Making Industries”.
• Climate change is likely to have a substantial impact on mangrove ecosystems through processes including sea level rise (SLR), changing ocean currents, increased storminess, increased temperature, changes in precipitation and increased CO2.

Mangroves and corals are the first line of defense at any calamity caused by marine ecosystems. It is a win-win situation for all, if these structures flourished and sustained themselves.