Mangroves

Main areas in the world mangroves grow

What factors affect where mangroves grow?

• Temperatures

• Salinity

• Exposer to Air

Temperature

Most mangroves grow only 30 degrees latitude of the equator

Salinity

The water around mangroves has to be of a certain salt content if not the mangrove will suffer, so if fresh water is added to salty water this would be harmful.

Exposure to air

Air is too rich in oxygen will harm to mangrove if the mangrove is exposed for too long.

Why are mangroves valuble?

• Contain Natural Resources

• Foraging and Living Place for Wildlife

• Reducing Water Pollution

• Protecting the Coastline

• Flood Prevention

• Ornamental Value

Contain natural resources

Charcoal, firewood, fish, medicines and other substances can be extracted form mangroves.

Foraging and Living Place for Wildlife

Without mangroves there would be no habitat for animals so there would be no animals.

Reducing Water Pollution

The root systems of mangrove species absorb inorganic substances and reduce water pollution.

Protecting the Coastline

Protecting the Coastline - Because the roots of a mangroves act can stabilise the coastlines of the river shores and river mouths. They also protect the coastline from wave erosion.

Flood Prevention

Mangroves can stabilise water capacity of the substratum and on the soil surface, hence steady and retain water to prevent flooding.

Ornamental Value

A mangrove forest is a beautiful environment with a diversity of life that in some peoples eyes is with saving.

Threats to mangroves

• Clearing

• Overharvesting

• River Changes

• Overfishing

• Destruction of Coral Reefs

• Pollution - Fertilizers, pesticides, and other toxic man-made chemicals carried by river systems from sources upstream can kill animals living in mangrove forests.

• Climate Change - Mangrove forests require stable sea levels for long-term survival.

Clearing

Mangrove forests have often been seen as unproductive and smelly, and so cleared to make room for agricultural land, human settlements and infrastructure, and industrial areas.

Overharvesting

While harvesting has taken place for centuries, harvesting of mangroves become unsustainable and threaten their future.

River Changes

Dams and irrigation reduce the amount of water reaching mangrove forests, changing the salinity of water in the forest.

Overfishing

The global overfishing crisis facing the world's oceans has effects far beyond the directly overfished population. The ecological balance of food chains and mangrove fish communities can also be affected.

Destruction of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs provide the first barrier against currents and strong waves. When they are destroyed, the stronger-than-normal waves and currents reaching the coast can undermine the fine sediment in which the mangroves grow. This can prevent seedlings from taking root and wash away nutrients essential.

Pollution

Fertilizers, pesticides, and other toxic man-made chemicals carried by river systems from sources upstream can kill animals living in mangrove forests.

Climate Change

Mangrove forests require stable sea levels for long-term survival.