We all know that forests and oceans are major carbon sinks but did you know that mangrove is one of the major carbon sinks as well? Research has shown that mangroves sequester 5x more carbon than a normal rainforest. Another way to tackle air pollution is by protecting our ecosystems as it provides services such as absorbing carbon. 

Mangroves are an important ecosystem as they provide lots of benefits. Firstly, they are able to sequester more carbon than a normal rainforest. With more mangroves being destroyed, the increased amount of carbon in the atmosphere may contribute to climate change. Secondly, “mangroves served as nurseries for many species”. It contributes to our seafood supply all over the world as it affects the growth and biodiversity of marine species. With the decline of mangroves, there will be a decreased supply of seafood and thus causing an increase in food prices, leading to food insecurity. Lastly, “mangroves serve as protectors against tropical storms and tsunamis’. Especially with the increase of more extreme weather events, mangroves will serve to protect the coastal inhabitants.

However, there has been a rapid loss of mangroves around the world.  According to the World Resource Institute, tree cover loss in mangroves in 2012 total up to more than 15000 hectares. With lesser mangroves, there will be lesser carbon sinks to absorb our carbon emission. And we can only suffer by enduring the scorching hot temperature rise and breathing in more toxic air. 

As individuals, our collective decisions have the potential to influence the final decision as to whether mangroves are preserved or destroyed. An example would be in Thailand where more than half of the mangroves are destroyed. To increase the seafood supply for our consumption, mangroves are destroyed to make space for shrimp farming businesses. And when the businesses are unable to continue, this plot of land is abandoned. Thus, this shows that our demand for seafood supply can impact the final decision directly or indirectly. 

From these, it is evident that mangrove is really one of the most important ecosystems that provide us with so much – protection, provision, regulation, etc. As individuals, let us cherish those ecosystems and remember that our little action does make a difference. We hope that policymakers can take more concrete actions to protect these vulnerable areas. 

Your environmental buddy,
Jeanice

References:

Mangrove Action Project. (2019). Restoring the Natural Mangrove Forest [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh7CoPBLQa8&t=445s

Strong, Asa & Minnemeyer, Susan. (2015). Satellite Data Reveals State of the World’s Mangrove Forests. Retrieved from: https://www.wri.org/blog/2015/02/satellite-data-reveals-state-world-s-mangrove-forests