Mangroves, vital coastal ecosystems, face depletion due to a confluence of anthropogenic and natural factors. Human activities such as urbanization, aquaculture, and logging contribute significantly to mangrove loss. Clearing land for development disrupts the delicate balance of these coastal forests, while aquaculture ponds encroach upon their habitats. Furthermore, logging for timber and fuel exacerbates the problem, diminishing the protective buffer mangroves offer against storms and erosion. Additionally, climate change-induced phenomena like rising sea levels and extreme weather events pose further threats to mangroves. Despite these challenges, the significance of mangroves in maintaining coastal ecology cannot be overstated. These resilient ecosystems act as crucial buffers, shielding coastal areas from the impact of storms and serving as nurseries for diverse marine life. Furthermore, mangroves play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling, underscoring their indispensable contribution to the health and sustainability of coastal environments. Preserving mangroves is not merely an environmental imperative but a vital step in safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of coastal ecosystems.
Tag: Geography, Climate Change.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to briefly write about the mangroves and their depletion.
- In Body,
- Mention the importance of mangroves in maintaining the coastal ecosystem.
- Write about the causes of degradation of the mangrove ecosystem
- In Conclusion, try to write about the importance of mangroves.
Answer:
Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems comprising salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in intertidal zones. They provide critical ecological functions, such as acting as nurseries for marine species, coastal protection against storms, and carbon sequestration. However, human activities, including deforestation, and urbanization, have led to significant mangrove depletion.
Importance of Mangrove in Maintaining Coastal Ecology:
- Coastal Protection: They serve as a buffer against extreme weather events, reducing the impact of cyclones and tsunamis. According to a study published in Nature, mangroves can reduce wave energy by up to 66%, providing significant coastal protection.
Example: The Sundarbans mangrove forest in West Bengal, India, serves as a natural barrier against cyclones and storm surges in the Bay of Bengal.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: They provide vital nursery grounds for various fish, crustaceans, and marine organisms, contributing to the overall productivity of coastal fisheries. India’s mangroves host over 200 species of birds and numerous fish and invertebrate species, making them important biodiversity hotspots.
Example: Bhitarkanika Mangrove Forest in Odisha, India, is a biodiversity hotspot that supports numerous plant and animal species.
- Carbon Sequestration: They sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating the impacts of climate change. According to a study published in Nature Communications, India’s mangroves sequester approximately 23.1 million metric tons of carbon annually.
Example:. According to a study by the Indian Institute of Science, the Andaman Islands’ mangroves sequester more than 110 metric tons of carbon per hectare, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change impacts.
- Water Quality Improvement: They prevent excess nutrients and contaminants from reaching the coastal waters, which helps maintain the health of marine ecosystems.
Example: A study by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute found that mangroves in the Godavari Delta significantly reduce the nutrient load in adjacent coastal waters. They improve water quality in the adjacent coastal waters, benefiting marine ecosystems and fisheries.
- Economic Benefits: They support fisheries and aquaculture industries, providing livelihood opportunities for millions of people. According to the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, mangroves contribute to the livelihood of over 10 million people in India.
Example: The mangroves in the Kerala Backwaters support local fisheries and aquaculture industries. They provide important nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans, contributing to the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen in the region.
- Tourism and Recreation: Mangroves attract eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts, providing opportunities for sustainable tourism and recreational activities such as birdwatching and boating. This can generate income and employment for local communities.
Example: The Sundarbans mangroves attract eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts. Tourists visit the Sundarbans for wildlife safaris and birdwatching, contributing to the local economy and promoting conservation efforts.
- Shoreline Stabilisation: The extensive root systems of mangroves help stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion. India’s mangroves cover around 4,975 square kilometers of coastal area, providing essential shoreline protection.
Example: The mangroves along the coastline of Gujarat in the Gulf of Kachchh help stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion. They protect coastal communities and infrastructure from the impacts of coastal erosion and land degradation.
- Climate Resilience: Mangroves act as natural buffers against sea-level rise and climate-related disasters. Their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions makes them resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change impacts.
Example: The Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in Tamil Nadu demonstrates climate resilience. Its mangroves have adapted to changing environmental conditions.
Various Causes of Depletion of Mangrove:
- Deforestation and Land Conversion: Mangroves have experienced significant deforestation and land conversion. It is estimated that around 35% of the world’s mangroves have been lost over the last few decades.
Example: The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest mangrove forest in the world, located in India’s West Bengal and Bangladesh, has experienced significant deforestation and land conversion for agriculture, development, and industrial activities
- Shrimp Farming and Aquaculture: Aquaculture, especially shrimp farming, is a major driver of mangrove destruction. In Southeast Asia, more than 50% of mangrove loss is attributed to shrimp farm development.
Example: In India, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, shrimp farming has been a major driver of mangrove destruction.
- Over-exploitation: Unsustainable harvesting practices have contributed to mangrove depletion. In some regions, over 80% of mangrove forests have been impacted by human activities.
Example: In some regions of India, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, mangrove forests have been impacted by overexploitation.
- Pollution and Oil Spills: Mangroves are affected by pollution from various sources. One study estimates that up to 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based activities, impacting mangrove ecosystems worldwide.
- Coastal Development and Infrastructure: Rapid urbanization and coastal development have led to the destruction of mangroves. In some countries, more than 50% of the original mangrove cover has been converted for infrastructure and urban expansion.
Example: Areas like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat have experienced mangrove degradation due to coastal development projects.
- Invasive Species: The invasion of non-native species, such as the Asian mangrove apple (Sonneratia caseolaris) and the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), has impacted mangrove ecosystems.
For example: the Asian mangrove apple (Sonneratia caseolaris) and the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) have been identified as invasive species in some regions.
- Natural Disasters: Natural disasters can have devastating effects on mangroves. For example, the Indian Ocean Tsunami resulted in the loss of about 15% of the world’s mangroves.
Example: The devastating Cyclone Amphan, which struck the eastern coast of India in May 2020, had a severe impact on the Sundarbans mangrove forest.
The deterioration of mangroves can lead to serious consequences, including a reduction in biodiversity, species decline, genetic erosion, extinction, increased flooding, and a decline in water quality. The government has attempted to introduce some initiatives to protect these important ecosystems but the sustainability of these resources could not be achieved due to the lack of sound management strategies.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
