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ImpQrtance of Mangrove
Ecosystems
I. Mukherjee -
Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department,
Hooghly Engineering &Technology College,Hooghly, West
Bertgal, India.
Email id-sidhindra@indiatimes.com
s. Majumdar ...
Research Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering Bengal
Engineering & Science University, Shibpur, India.
Email id-Somnath.majumder25@gmail.com
R. Majumder
Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department,
Hooghly Engineering & Technology College,Hooghly, West
Bengal, India. .
Email id-rajibmj@gmail.com
Partha Pratim Mondal
M. Tech Student, Indian Institute of Remotesensing, Dehra
Dun-248001
Abstract
The concept of climate change has gained
immense importance in connection to the global
environmental disasters all around the world. But
still it seems that the inherent meaning of the concept
of climate chang~ is not properly understood. For
any environmental calamity to be intrinsically
related to the concept of climate change, not only is
required huge amount of exhaustive database but
also some indicators which have direct relation to
it In this context, modern industrialization has not
only complicated this growing menace but also has
left us with very few options to mitigate it. One of
the most naturally available environmental resources.
which can be thought of as a key mitigator to this
climate change is the presence of mangrove
ecosystems. This review paper deals with the
attributes of such mangroves ecosystems (ecological,
community and economic) importance in addition
to its key role in mitigating climate change.
Author Keywords: Climate change,
mangrove ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental
disasters.
1.0 Introduction
Rapid industrialization has undoubtedly
enhanced the economic growth globally. But
alongside with it, it has led to quite a number of
complications. Speaking of complications it is meant
that the outputs generated from this industrial spur
have substantially contributed in deteriorating the
surrounding environment. A host of pollutants are
being released day in day out into our surrounding
environment which is further worsening the
situation. The combined effects of natural and
anthropogenic pressures make mangrove wetlands
one of the most threatened and vulnerable natural
communities worldwide. Roughly 50% of the global
. area has been lost since 1900 and 35% of the global
area has been lost in the past two decades, due
primarily to human activities such as conversion
for aquaculture (lUCN, 1989; Ramsar Secretariat,
1999; Valiela et aI., 2001). Between 56 and 75% of
different Asian mangroves have been lost during
the 20th century primarily due to overuse and
conversion for aquaculture (Primavera, 1997; Smith
et aI., 2001). There are roughly 17 million ha of
mangroves worldwide (Valiela et aI., 2001;FAO,
2003). Mangroves are declining in area worldwide.
The global average annual rate of mangrove loss is
about 2.1%, exceeding the rate of loss of tropical
rainforests (0.8%) (Valiela et aI., 2001).
Undoubtedly, the earth's climate changes on global
and regional scales have adversely affected the
hydrological systems and terrestrial and marine
ecosystems, including mangroves.
2.0 Importance ofMangrove Ecosystems
Researches all across the globe have
confirmed the mufti-faceted role of the mangrove
ecosystems in the environment in relation to the
ecological functions of the mangrove ecosystems.
The role of the mangrove ecosystems can be best
interpreted in terms of its ecological, community
and economic values.
2.1 Ecologi<;.al Importance
From an ecological perspective, mangroves
are a unique and significant ecosystem. They
support a diverse range of plants including palms,
trees, shrubs and even ferns, which have developed
unusual adaptations to the prevailing
environmental conditions. In fact these plants have
been so successful in their development that
mangroves are among the most productive natural
systems found throughout the world. Mangroves are
used by a vast array of organisms as breeding,
nursery andfeeding areas. They also playa valuable
role in foreshore protection, reducing erosion by
cyclones and lessening the impact of storm surge.
The ecological importance of a vegetation
community can be best understood by knowing the
amount of living materials (ie. leaves, branches,
stems and roots) that are produced by a mangrove
ecosystem over a substantial period of time. This
mangrove productivity is indeed of great importance
as it has direct impact on the health and function of
the marine food chain (Saenger et aI., 1983). Similar
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1. Mukherjee, S. Majumdar, R. Majumder& ParthaPratimMondal
to the other plants, the mangroves too convert
energy from the sun into organic matter through
the process of photosynthesis. The felling of the
leaves and branches of a mangrove to the ground
provide primary source of food to a wide variety of
aquatic animals such as molluscs, crabs and worms.
Considering the food chain, these primary level
consumers in ,turn support a wide variety of
secondary consumers, including small fish and
juvenile predators such as fJarramundi which, when
full grown, become third level consumers. Thus it
is seen that, high productivity can be directly
correlated to the sustain ability of a larger number
and more diverse array of animals within a
particular ecosystem. As it has been observed that
direct measurement of mangrove productivity is not
feasible, hence the changes in a particular element
of a mangrove community can be at best conceived
as a probable measure ofthe productivity. Two such
important parameters in this context, which can be
taken as a measure of the productivity are leaflitter
and biomas3. Besides, mangroves also provide
important permanent and temporary habitats for a
wide variety of marine and terrestrial fauna. Marine
fauna commonly found in mangroves includes
molluscs, crustaceans (such as crabs and prawns),
a wide range of fish and of course, the saltwater
crocodile. Studies carried out by scientists and
researchers all across the globe have indeed shown
that the high percentage profusion and diversity of
marine fauna is found throughout mangrove areas.
To cite example, studies conducted in eastern
Australia, has estimated that 67% of the entire
commercial fish catch is composed of species
dependent, upon mangrove estuarine areas
(Hamilton and Snedaker, 1984). A wide range of
terrestrial fauna is also found in mangroves and
includes insects, snakes, frogs, and mammals such
as possums and flying foxes. Regardless of whether
the mangroves serve periodically or as permanent
home, they are indeed considered to be vitally
important as habitat areas for a wide variety of
speCIes.
2.2 Community Values
Researches all over the globe have confirmed
the environmental significance ofthe mangrove eco-
system. In this context it is indeed difficult to
determine the community value of mangroves as it
is a function of one's perspective. However, the
unique aesthetic appeal and the recreational
opportunities which the mangrove cOlnmunities
offer are well appreciated by all. The recreational
activities in particular can be conceived as. either
directly or indirectly linked to the health and vitality
of the mangroves. At the same time the cultural
significance of the mangroves are well established
by the large number of registered sacred sites
located within or adjacent to mangrove areas
serving as a link between mangroves ecosystems
and aboriginal culture. The mangrove ecosystems
are also a valuable educational resource. They
support a wide range of animal species including
birds, bats, lizards, crabs, and fish. In no other
ecosystem can such an array of animals be found
living together (Lear and Turner, 1977). The plants
found within mangrove communities are also
unique in their own ways and some of them are
rare in nature. They have unique adaptation
properties and adapt themselves to quite unique
environmental conditions, including high salinities,
regular inundation and low soil oxygen conditions.
The uniqueness ofthese plants and animals, along
with the role that mangroves play in adjacent marine
and terrestrial food chains make them ideal
locations for educational activities. The study ofthe
mangrove ecosystems indeed form the basis for a
large number of researchers for understanding the
natural environment
2.3 Economic Importance arid Mitigator of
Climate Change:
The economic importance of the mangrove
ecosystems is well supported by the deprmdence of
a large number of commercial fishing industries on
the mangrove resources as they provide breeding,
feeding and nursery areas for a wide variety of
marine species. Speakingoftheir role in mitigating
climate change, the mangroves undoubtedly play
an important role in coa;:;tal protection by acting as
a natural buffer to water erosion from both the land
and the sea. Thus by forming a physical barrier,
retarding water movement from the land and
trapping sediments, mangroves quite effectively
reduce erosion along estuaries and creeks.
Mangroves also have the potential to reduce storm
surge Hence proper conservation of mangrove
ecosystems are quite vital, else removal of
mangroves can result.in shoreline erosion and
mobilisation of marine sediments. This can cause
sedimentation resulting in the shallowing of
estuaries and waterways and a reduction in water
quality. It can also lead to exposure ofpotfmtial acid
sulfate soils, thereby severely affecting the
plantations and ecosystems. When exposed to
oxygen in the air these soils may react to produce
sulfuric acid. This can cause substantial damage to
the natural environment and physical and economic
damage to the built environment
3.
Threats to Mangrove Ecosystem
Despite their critical importance, mangroves
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I. Mukherjee, S. Majumdar, R. Majumder &Partha Pratim Mondal
are disappearing at an alarming rate around the
world. The threats to the mangrove ecosystem could
be broadly grouped into two categories, natural and
anthropogenic. The natural threats include: climatic
changes, cyclones and physical processes. Human
encroachment (including reclamation),
deterioration, pollution, grazing, agriculture,
industrial activity, aquaculture etc., are considered
as the anthropog~nic threats to the ecosystem.
These factors are rapidly replacing these salt-
tolerant trees and the ecosystems they support.
There are a few places where mangrove cover is
increasing. But, in total in the last decade, at least
35 percent of the world's mangroves have been
destroyed. That's a rate of loss that exceeds the
disappearance oftropical rainforests.
Conclusion
Mangroves are really a priceless possession
for any country. The innumerable number of
benefits possessed by the mangrove communities,
particularly their role in mitigating climate change
has been indeed appreciated all across the globe. In
this context they serve as unique natural elements
protecting nature itselffrom the severe catastrophes
of climate changes. So proper conservation of the
mangrove communities are very much essential for
adopting suitable mitigation strategies by the policy
makers to comba't climate change and protect our
natural environment
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