Our Silent Saviour – Mangroves

What are mangroves?

Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow in marshy or swamp-like areas that range from freshwater to saltwater. These areas are typically low in dissolved oxygen and the water moves very slowly. In Trinidad and Tobago, there are 8 species of mangroves that can be found at the Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp and 43 other locations throughout the length and breadth of our islands. It is estimated that we have 7,000 hectares of mangrove left in Trinidad and Tobago.

Figure 1: showing Mangroves in Caroni Swamp (Shutterstock 2021)

Why are mangroves important?

I am sure we have seen or heard something about mangrove conservation, but why should we conserve the mangrove we have left? To answer this question, we dive into the many ways that our mangroves protect us and our wildlife.

Firstly, mangroves act as our first line of defence when it comes to oceanic waves. When the seas are rough or there is a tsunami coming our way, the mangroves’ dense and complex root system will reduce the momentum of the waves thereby protecting us inland from the rough ocean conditions. It also protects the coast from erosion. Waves can be very destructive, “eating away” at the coasts of our islands, however with the mangroves there to reduce the wave action, it protects and safeguards the coast from weathering away.

Figure 2: showing how mangroves reduce wave action
Secondly, mangroves act as a nursery for thousands of species of marine life and provide habitats for hundreds of terrestrial species. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on marine life. The calm shallow waters mean that it is difficult for larger predators to come in to feed on juvenile animals, which makes it the ultimate nesting ground. It provides protection that is unavailable in the open ocean. The mangrove itself is full of nutrients that young marine animals would need to survive. Now you may think, how could a saltwater animal survive in a freshwater environment? The truth is that mangroves usually consist of Brackishwater (a mixture of saltwater and freshwater). The salinity (saltiness) of the water will increase in areas closer to the sea and decrease in areas further inland. This means that the animals could choose a location with a salinity that best suits their needs.

Figure 3: showing Shark pups in a mangrove environment (The Conversation 2021)

Thirdly, mangroves are one of the best in the world when it comes to Carbon Sequestration. Carbon Sequestration refers to the removal of carbon from the earth. Mangroves around the world sequestered approximately 24 billion tons of carbon each year and stores it in its leaves, branches and soil, which is essential to our fight against Climate Change.  We need to protect our mangroves to protect our future.

 

Figure 4: showing the comparison between mangroves and a terrestrial tree in carbon sequestration (Earth 2020)

What do you think we can do to protect our mangroves?

Drop your suggestions below in the comments. I cannot wait to hear your suggestions. 

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