GEBRIEL JANE E.

TARAY

BSED-ENGLISH 2A

MANGROVES

WHAT ARE MANGROVES?

 is a type of shrub or tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water.

 SALINITY refers to the saltiness of the water
 BRACKISH WATER refers to water that is a mixture of fresh and salt water. This type of water is
often seen in estuaries.

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

A. Biodiversity Hotspot

 Mangroves serve as biodiversity hotspots, supporting a wide array of flora and fauna adapted to
saline environments.
 Mangrove trees, fishes, crabs, mollusks, and birds are examples of species that live in the
Mangrove ecosystem.

B. Habitat and Nursery grounds

 Mangroves serve as crucial habitats and nursery grounds for many marine life.
 These ecosystems support rich biodiversity, with various species relying on mangroves for shelter,
food, and breeding.
 Mangroves are considered nursery habitats for many marine organisms, providing a safe
environment for juvenile fish, shrimp, crabs, and other species to grow and develop.
 Mangroves can offer a safe environment through its intricately entangled roots that protect these
small marine species from larger predators.

C. Coastal Protection

 Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal protection by serving as natural defenses against erosion,
storm surges, and flooding.
 These ecosystems help reduce the impacts of natural hazards like storms, tsunamis, and coastal
erosion by attenuating waves and lessening wave damage during extreme weather events.
 Mangroves’ ability to attenuate wave height, energy, and wind force, and reduce coastal erosion
is demonstrated through VEGETATION DRAG and its DENSE ROOT SYSTEM.
 VEGETATION DRAG refers to the resistance of plants or any natural features that are present in
the movement of water or air. This happens when the wind or water passes through the
vegetation, creates friction, and will slow down the flow leading to a change of wind speed and
direction, as well as the movement of water. Vegetation drag is influenced by several factors such
as vegetation density and structure. When the forest is denser, there will be an increase in
vegetation drag.
 Mangroves help reduce coastal erosion through its dense root system that helps bind and stabilize
the soil.
D. CARBON SEQUESTRATION

 Mangroves' way of carbon sequestration is more productive than any other tropical forest. This
is due to its process of storing carbon dioxide underground, reducing the amount of carbon
dioxide being released back into the atmosphere.

TYPES F MANGROVES

A. Red MangrovesPhysical

 Characteristics: red arching props, large and broad leaves that are waxy, dark green above, and
pale green below.
 Habitat: Red mangroves are typically found closest to the water.
 Adaptations: They have stilt roots and aerate the roots.

B. Black Mangroves

 Physical Characteristics: have thick stands of pneumatophores (aerial roots); elliptical, green, and
often encrusted with salt.
 Habitat: Black mangroves are found further inland and have a higher salt tolerance.
 Adaptations: They excrete excess salt through glands on their leaf surfaces and have adapted to
living in oxygen-deprived sediment.

C. WHITE MANGROVE

 Physical Characteristics: shorter than red or black mangroves, their leaves are broad, flat ovals
with two glands at the base of each leaf.
 Habitat: White mangroves occur at higher and often lack visible roots.
 Adaptations: They develop peg roots in oxygen-deprived sediment and are known for their hard,
strong wood historically used for lumber.

D. MANGROVE ASSOCIATE (NIPA PALM)

 Physical Characteristics: It has a trunk that grows beneath the ground, with only the leaves and
flower stalk emerging above the surface.
 Habitat: It grows in soft mud and slow-moving tidal and river waters that bring in nutrients.
 Adaptations: It is considered moderately salt-tolerant but suffers if exposed to pure seawater,
thriving instead in brackish waters.
 Considered an economically valuable mangrove associate. It is used to make mats baskets, rain
caps. Nipa sap is used for making alcoholic beverages, sugar, syrup, and vinegar.

ADAPTATIONS OF MANGROVE

A. Salt tolerance

The salt tolerance adaptations of mangroves are crucial for their survival in saline environments.
  Salt Exclusion: Root membranes prevent salt from entering while allowing water to pass through,
effectively removing the majority of salt from seawater.
 Salt Excretion: They remove salt through glands located on their leaves.

B. Aerial root system

 PNEUMATOPHORES –pencil-like roots that play a crucial role in facilitating gas exchange and
oxygen uptake in waterlogged environments. Pneumatophores have small pores called lenticels
in their surface that enable the diffusion of oxygen into the roots, aiding in the absorption of
atmospheric oxygen for the submerged root system.

 Stilt roots – specialized roots that provide stability and support to the trees, particularly in flood-
prone and soft sediment environments. It is predominantly found in mangroves that grow in
seaward zones and play a crucial role in anchoring the mangrove trees securely in their habitats,
ensuring their survival despite challenging conditions.

 The difference of these roots lies in their function and structure. Pneumatophores are pencil-like
roots that are for gas exchange and oxygen uptake, while stilt roots are mainly for providing
stability to the mangrove tree.

C. Reproductive Strategy

 Vivipary - refers to a unique reproductive strategy where the offspring germinate while still
attached to the maternal plant, allowing for live young to develop before being dispersed. As this
propagule is dispersed, it will fall into the water and then float along horizontally and float for
more than a year and wind up far from the parent tree. Moreover, the tip end of the root is the
heaviest part of the propagule. As it becomes more water-logged it begins to float vertically and
eventually becomes planted in the mud during low tide. This has been proven to be an incredibly
efficient method of propagation.

THREATS TO MANGROVE

 Deforestation and Urbanization – the rapid expansion of urban areas and clearing of mangrove
forests for various purposes like agriculture, aquaculture, and infrastructure development lead to
severe degradation of this vital coastal habitat. Deforestation for timber acquisition, expansion of
aquaculture, and coastal development are major drivers of mangrove loss, disrupting the delicate
balance of these ecosystems.

 Pollution- Pollution poses a significant threat to mangrove ecosystems, impacting their health
and survival in multiple ways. Chemical contaminants, agricultural runoff, and sewage discharge
introduce toxins, reducing water quality and altering the delicate balance mangroves rely on. One
critical concern is the acidification of water, primarily caused by increased CO2 levels. This process
not only lowers the pH of the surrounding water, making it more acidic but also affects the
mangroves' ability to absorb and store carbon, a crucial function for mitigating climate change.
 Furthermore, acidic conditions can hinder the growth and structural integrity of mangrove roots,
which are vital for sediment stabilization and as a habitat for various marine species. The
combined effects of pollution and water acidification threaten the biodiversity and functionality
of mangrove ecosystems, undermining their role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and
supporting marine life.

 Climate Change - Climate change poses significant threats to mangrove ecosystems through
various mechanisms. Rising sea levels, a direct consequence of climate change, can submerge
mangrove forests, reducing their area and biodiversity. Additionally, increased temperatures and
changing precipitation patterns can alter the salinity of coastal waters, impacting mangrove
growth and survival. Increased frequency and severity of storms and hurricanes, also linked to
climate change, can physically damage mangrove trees and erode the coastal areas they protect.
Furthermore, higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, while potentially enhancing
mangrove photosynthesis, can exacerbate ocean acidification, negatively affecting the marine life
forms that mangroves rely on for nutrient cycling. Collectively, these changes threaten the myriad
of services mangroves provide, from carbon sequestration and coastal protection to supporting
biodiversity and local livelihoods.

 Overexploitation - Overexploitation significantly impacts mangrove ecosystems, leading to their

degradation and loss. Mangroves, which are vital for coastal protection, biodiversity, and local
economies, suffer when their resources are excessively harvested or when the land is converted
for agriculture, aquaculture, or urban development. Overharvesting of timber and non-timber
forest products can deplete these unique ecosystems, reducing their resilience and ability to
support wildlife. Additionally, the conversion of mangrove areas for shrimp farming or other
agricultural uses can lead to the loss of biodiversity, increased carbon emissions due to
deforestation, and a reduction in the natural coastal defense against storm surges and erosion.
The disruption of these ecosystems can have profound effects on the livelihoods of local
communities and on marine life that depend on the mangroves for breeding and feeding grounds.
Ultimately, overexploitation undermines the ecological functions of mangroves, threatening their
survival and the benefits they provide to humanity and the planet.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

A. Protected Areas and Reserves - These areas are designated to safeguard mangrove ecosystems from
various threats such as deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction. An example of this is the Olango
Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Conservation efforts at the sanctuary focus on preserving the habitat for various
bird species including rare and endangered ones like the Chinese Egret and Asiatic Dowitcher.

B. Reforestation and Restoration Projects - These projects aim to restore degraded mangrove areas and
promote the sustainable management of these ecosystems. We have the Bakhawan Eco-Park in Aklan as
renowned as the Philippines' most successful mangrove reforestation project.
C. Community Involvement and Education

 Building Capacity in Mangrove Conservation – involves enhancing the knowledge, skills, and
resources necessary to effectively protect and restore mangrove ecosystems. This process
includes training the local communities, stakeholders, and practitioners in mangrove ecology,
restoration techniques, sustainable management practices, and monitoring methods.

 Mangrove Planting - Mangrove planting, often part of broader restoration or afforestation

efforts, is a critical conservation strategy aimed at rebuilding these vital coastal ecosystems.
Engaging local communities in mangrove planting projects is essential for success. Residents can
provide invaluable knowledge about the area, contribute to the labor force, and, most
importantly, help in the long-term protection and management of the mangrove forests.

 Community-Based Mangrove Monitoring Initiatives - it involves engaging local communities in

monitoring the health and status of mangrove ecosystems. These initiatives enhance community
ownership of conservation efforts and promote the long-term sustainability of mangrove
ecosystems by involving stakeholders in monitoring activities like field surveys, data collection on
mangrove growth, species diversity, and threats like pollution and illegal logging.

 Mangrove Rehabilitation and Volunteer Programs - These initiatives often combine scientific
research with community involvement and education, aiming to restore degraded mangrove
areas while promoting awareness and stewardship among local populations and volunteers from
around the globe. An example of this in the Philippines is the Haribon Foundation, a prominent
organization dedicated to biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Haribon’s
integrated approach includes science and research, community-based resource management,
environmental defense, and membership development.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

 The "Mangrove Forest Protection and Preservation Act" and the "National Protection and
Preservation of Mangrove Forest Act" - are significant legislative measures in the Philippines
aimed at conserving and safeguarding mangrove ecosystems. These acts declare the state’s policy
to protect and advance the preservation of mangrove forests, emphasizing sustainable
development, reforestation, afforestation, and establishment of reservation areas exclusively for
mangrove trees.

 National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7586) – this
law provides for the establishment and management of protected areas, including mangrove
forests, to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable development.

 Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) – this legislation aims to protect and
preserve the country’s water resource, including coastal waters where mangrove ecosystems
thrive, by regulating pollution and ensuring water quality standards are met.