{"id":30723,"date":"2024-02-29T06:03:54","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T06:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=30723"},"modified":"2024-02-29T06:03:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T06:03:56","slug":"mangroves-in-india-upsc-environment-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/mangroves-in-india-upsc-environment-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Mangroves in India – UPSC Environment Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
Mangroves, the resilient coastal ecosystems, stand as emblematic symbols of the intricate balance between land and sea. In India, these lush green swathes of vegetation, adorned with tangled roots and thriving biodiversity, play a pivotal role in safeguarding coastal regions against erosion, tidal surges, and cyclonic storms. Spanning over 4,600 square kilometers along the country’s extensive coastline, India’s mangrove forests harbor a wealth of unique flora and fauna, serving as critical habitats for numerous species of plants and animals. From the Sunderbans in the east to the backwaters of Kerala in the south, these mangrove ecosystems not only nurture biodiversity but also provide invaluable ecological services such as carbon sequestration, shoreline stabilization, and sustenance for coastal communities. However, despite their ecological significance, mangroves face mounting threats from human activities, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change, highlighting the urgent need for concerted conservation efforts to safeguard these vital ecosystems for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mangrove plants employ impermeable roots that function as an ultra-filtration system, excluding salt and effectively reducing the plant’s salt content by 90%\u201397%.\u00a0<\/li>
Following this process, the plant sheds its older leaves, which carry concentrated salt collected in the shoot.<\/li>
In addition, some mangrove species feature cell vacuoles capable of storing salt.\u00a0<\/li>
Alternatively, certain species possess leaves with specialized glands actively releasing salt, resulting in visible salt crystals on the upper surface of the leaf.<\/li>
Airborne roots, known as pneumatophores, are prevalent in many mangrove trees.\u00a0<\/li>
These roots, emerging above the soil, draw oxygen from the air to sustain the roots, especially in regions where the soil is frequently flooded during high tides in shallow mangrove forests.<\/li>
Furthermore, mangrove plants exhibit a unique reproductive strategy.\u00a0<\/li>
Mangrove seeds initiate growth while still connected to the parent plant, evolving into propagules that develop roots while attached.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n