Mains Marathon

Explain briefly about mangroves. Discuss the reasons for the decline of mangroves. Explain their role in preservation of coastal ecology. Conclude accordingly.

Answer:

A mangrove is a compact tree or shrub that thrives along coastlines, establishing itself in saline sediments, frequently submerged in water. As indicated by UNEP research, over 35% of the global mangrove population has already experienced depletion, while the risk looms large for 100% of mangrove species and 92% of their accompanying flora.

Reasons for the decline in mangroves:

• Deforestation and Urbanization: The "Global Mangrove Watch" project revealed that between 2000 and 2012, about 20% of mangrove cover was lost due to urban expansion and aquaculture.
• Aquaculture and Agriculture Expansion: The expansion of shrimp farms and rice paddies in mangrove areas.
  • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that aquaculture expansion has led to the loss of mangrove ecosystems in countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
• Pollution and Industrialization: Industrial effluents and pollutants affecting water quality.
  • A study published in the journal "Marine Pollution Bulletin" found that mangroves near urban and industrial areas in India showed signs of heavy metal contamination.
• Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Rising sea levels leading to saltwater intrusion, damaging mangroves.
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that sea levels could rise by up to 1 meter by the end of the century, affecting mangroves worldwide.
• Invasive Species and Disease: Invasive species outcompeting native mangrove species.
  • invasive species like the red mangrove tree (Rhizophora mangle) have disrupted native ecosystems in Florida, USA.

Role in Preservation of Coastal Ecology:

• Coastal Protection: Mangroves act as natural barriers against storm surges and coastal erosion. They absorb wave energy, reducing the impact of storms.
  • Mangroves played a crucial role in reducing damage during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
• Rich Biodiversity: Mangroves provide habitats for a diverse range of plant and animal species, including rare and endemic ones.
  • Research in the journal "Ecology" highlighted the high species richness found in mangrove ecosystems, promoting biodiversity conservation.
• Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves store significant amounts of carbon in their biomass and sediments, helping mitigate climate change.
  • The Blue Carbon Initiative found that mangroves sequester carbon at rates 2-4 times higher than many terrestrial forests, making them vital for carbon storage.

Some measures to safeguard mangroves:

• Protected Areas and Reserves: The Sundarbans Reserve Forest in Bangladesh and India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has strict protection measures to conserve its unique mangrove ecosystem.
  • India has established protected areas like the Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha and the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park in Gujarat to safeguard mangrove habitats.
• Community-Based Conservation: The community-led "Mangrove Action Project" in Thailand engages local communities in mangrove restoration and sustainable management efforts.
  • In the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India promotes community participation in mangrove conservation through initiatives like mangrove restoration workshops.
• Special schemes: MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) and Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) initiative by India

The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is celebrated every year on 26 July and aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses.