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This is the last of a 2 part post in which I talk about the arguments for and against saving mangroves. To see part one click here.

Why Not Save Mangroves? 

There are many countries which are suffering from over population. Resources are scarce, land is scarce and people are doing the best they can to survive based on the natural resources available to them.  Using the example of the Bahamas, where a great percentage of the ‘land’ is mangroves, some may argue that to set aside a portion of mangroves for development purposes would not result in the extreme depletion of fisheries resources. With proper testing, planning and development practices, developments can occur in a sustainable fashion.

Tourism activities in the mangroves such as Horseback riding, air boating, bone fishing offer people the opportunity to enjoy wildlife viewing. Additionally, this industry produces high capital income, especially for developing nations who main industry revolves around tourism.  More and more schools are using mangrove parks for education and research.

What about the other ecosystems? Surely the mangroves are not the only critical ecosystems in a given country? Cities and towns are continually being developed in what was once virgin plant territory. If we take the approach of wanting to save each and every mangrove plant and community, then why not do the same with other plant communities? Mangroves represent only one ecosystem, and there are many other ecosystems which are being cut down for the sake of development in non-coastal areas and along the coastal regions of nations. To save each and every ecosystem will result in no place for man to live, no food for man to consume and no resources for man to use as shelter.

Like all natural plant communities, a delicate balance has to be found when developing. It is mans responsibility to manage the affairs of the earth and all the creatures. Consideration must be made for man to provide for his needs but not at the expense of future human, plant or animal populations. With proper testing and planning, we can both save the mangroves and utilize the mangroves for our benefit and survival.

Mangroves are becoming more popular

The first recorded report on mangroves was dated back to 325 B.C. Today, there are thousands of reports out there based on intense research into mangrove communities.  In addition to this, the earth has never seen such a huge spike in human population. 6 billion people all in need of resources like food, clothing and shelter.

In the past,  some cultures have used mangroves for fuel wood, charcoal, tannins, timber and as the raw material for industries. Not to mention, the temptation by real estate developers to fill in mangrove areas and create affordable real estate for developments. In many cases, the mangrove areas are sold at a much cheaper cost than other water front property.

However regulations, policies and conventions are being put in place to protect mangroves and penalize those who destroy them.  Depending on who you are, there is a vast array of arguments for and against saving mangroves. I will highlight both arguments from my very own perspective.

Why Save Mangroves?

Here are 6 pretty good arguments for saving mangroves.

1. Mangrove communities are coastal in nature and offer protection of coastal land from storm surges and wave impacts.

2. Over time, the tidal flow into the mangroves brings with it sediments that accumulates around the mangrove roots. Over an extended period of time, the soil builds up and produces new buildable land.

3. The roots of the mangroves help to slow down the motion of the water and as such create a calm nursery area for juvenile crustaceans, fish, and mollusks.

4. Terrestrial animals such as birds and mammals also find sanctuary in the mangrove foliage.

5. Since the mangrove plants have the ability to disperse their seeds in remote locations, one can find strands of mangroves in secluded quiet areas perfect for birds to roost.

6. Additionally, the fishing industry in many nations is completely dependent on these communities being left intact. Research has shown that in areas where mangroves have been removed, fisherman have noticed a substantial decrease in catch.  Basically the removal of the mangroves would essentially be eliminating the source of new hatchlings. It would not take long before the fisheries resources of the nation are completely destroyed.

In my next post, I will discuss the arguments against saving mangroves.

What about you? Why do you think we ought to save mangroves? Are they worth saving at all?

This is the third part in a 3 part post about what garbage does to the mangrove plant. To read part 1 click here, to read part 2 click here

We talked about the affect of liquid waste and oil waste on mangrove plants, now lets look at what metal waste does to the mangrove plant.

Metal Waste 

Finally we will look at metal waste. This waste can be a result of activities in food-processing plants, paper mills, and leather-tanning factories. Mangrove plants have a very low composition of metals. The mangrove roots seem to act as a barrier to prevent metals from flowing throughout the plant. A plaque is formed around the root surfaces to prevent metals from entering the roots. However, in the parts of the plant where metals can enter, there is a mechanism in place to prevent the metals from flowing liberally throughout the plant body. So there appears to be no extreme affect of metal waste on mangrove plants.

Overall, mangrove plants with its array of adaptations and physical features are somewhat sturdy plants. But garbage or waste, in sufficient quantities, over a long period of time, will result in a chain reaction affecting the plants’ ability to take root, grow, reproduce and provide the all important benefits commonly associated with mangrove communities.

 

This is the second part in a 3 part series about what garbage does to the Mangrove plant. For part 1 click here.

We looked at what liquid waste does to the mangrove plants but lets now consider what oil waste does to the plants.  

Oil waste

Oil waste from boating, shipping activities, fuel stations, petroleum production, power plants, streets and gas exploration. These activities if not carefully carried out can result in oil, gasoline or kerosene spills into the waters surrounding the mangrove plants.

 Oil has a remarkable way of coating the underground and above ground roots of the mangroves. Therefore, one of the major affect on the mangrove plants is loss of leaves flowers and branches. The extent of the affect will depend on the environmental conditions and the type of mangrove plant. For example, in sunny conditions when the trees are hot, the red mangroves are affected more severely. There are some less noticeable effects like oil particles becoming trapped in the sediment even after a spill has been removed from the plants or water. The oily soils can stop the mangrove seedlings from taking root or even kill those which have already taken root. Also, this left over oil can cause mutations in some plants as well.

Mangroves which have experienced the affects of oil waste are more vulnerable to damage in the future. Sometimes, the act of cleaning up the oil waste can cause trampling and compacting of the plants. Altogether, the effect will depend on the kind of oil and the size of the spill. And it would take months, even years to realize the overall effects.

To continue reading part 3 of this post, click here.

 

There is lots of information out there about what garbage does to the overall mangrove community. But not much information about its affect on the actual mangrove trees!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In order to fully understand the effect of garbage on the mangrove plant, we need to consider something very important. What is garbage? For the sake of this post, garbage is waste or any matter that is no longer wanted or needed and has been disposed of legally or illegally. Because the term garbage is such as limiting one, I will refer to all garbage as waste. And waste can be either liquid, solid or gas. So we will look at three types of waste including;

1. Liquid waste
2. Oil waste
3. Metal waste

So with that in mind, let us look at the specific types of waste and what they do to the mangrove plants.

Liquid Waste

Liquid waste can originate from households, golf courses, gullies, and sewage treatment plants. The liquid waste can take the form of sewage material, fertilizers, detergents and pesticides to name a few. In many parts of the world this waste is released directly into the water.

When liquid waste comes in contact with mangrove plants, the major concern is over-nutrition. In other words, there is the risk of too much nitrogen and phosphorus entering the mangrove community.

The soil in the mangroves can do a pretty good job of trapping phosphorous but not so with nitrogen. The short term affect of the wastewater is little to no affect on mangrove tree growth, its thickness or structure of the community. However, there are some areas with little to no tidal action. If wastewater is continually flowing in these areas, the long term affect can be detrimental to the plant. High amounts of nutrients can cause disease and death to the mangrove plant.

It only takes one plant species to suffer and the entire composition of the mangrove plant community is rearranged. So for example, if the Black mangrove has suffered damage to its above ground roots, the plant will not be able to carry out respiration and the growth will be retarded, hence making way for a new type of mangrove plant to grow in its place.

Continue reading part 2 of this post where we look at what oil waste does to the mangrove plant.