"Importance of Mangroves"
When Mangrove leaves drop into the tidal waters, they are colonised by marine fungi and bacteria. This 'food' is consumed by worms, snails, shrimps, mollusks, mussels, barnacles, clams, oysters etc. Their existence depends on Mangroves. 75% of the game fish and 90% of the commercial species in South Florida rely on the Mangrove Ecosystem. So they are REALLY important!
Some points are:-
- It is basis of a complex marine food chain.
- It is creation of a breeding habitat.
- It filters pollutants from upland.
- It stabilises bottom sediments.
- It improves the water quality.
- Shorelines protected from erosions.
- Their wood is used in furniture building.
"Why is it Threatened?"
The Mangroves are threatened in many ways such as:-
- Seen as unproductive and smelly, they are cleared.
- Dams and irrigation reduce the amount of water reaching them.
- Coral reefs, which provide first barriers to currents and strong waves, are being destroyed so Mangroves are also threatened.
- Pollution threatens them too. The fertilisers and pesticides reduce their growth.
- Due to global warming and rapid climate change, their goeth is effected.
"How can we Conserve it?"
It can be conserved in man ways:-
- Reduce pollution so that their growth isn't effected.
- Dispose off oils, chemicals and old batteries at a place where they can be properly handled.
- Use less petroleum products to reduce pollution.
- Use less CFC sprays which damage ozone layer, due to which global warming is increasing.
"THE END"
