CH10B043 Nitesh RewarCH10B048 Smit PatoliyaCH10B050 Prakhar Dutt
Mangrove Ecosystem
INTRODUCTION
Mangroves ecosystem is a peculiar habitat found at the interface between land and sea
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics
These are highly productive but extremely sensitive and fragile.
WHERE ARE MANGROVES FOUND?
o Found extensively in the estuarine regions where mud-flats are wide and gently sloping
o Also inhabits the intertidal regions of shallow bays and creeks
o Richest mangrove communities occur in tropical and subtropical area
o Between latitudes 25°N and 25°S.o Where the water temperature is greater then 24Co Where the annual rainfall exceeds 1250mm
Mangrove Distribution
Mangroves Distribution in World
MANGROVES IN INDIA
The total area of the mangroves in India, was reckoned at about 6,740 km2. But recent time, total area of the mangroves decreased to 4,474 km2.
Factor For Decrement In Ecosystem
o Grazing by domestic cattle’s and exploitation of
mangrove woods for fuel and timber
o The neo-tectonic movement of river courses
o Abatement of upstream freshwater discharges due to
construction of dams and reservoirs
o Rapid trend of reclamation of mangrove forests for
habitations
o Pollutant discharges from cities and industries etc.
STATE WISE MANGROVE COVER
Importance of Mangrove Forests
Ecological significanceo Filters UV-B radiationo Protects the coast against erosion and protect coral reefs, sea-grass
bed and shipping lanes against siltationo Traps and stabilizes sedimentso Hosts a number of threatened or endangered specieso Provides spawning grounds to a variety of fish and shellfish,
including several commercial species, ideal place for growing of sea algae and for spawning for fish and marine animals (shallow, warm water, water current is slow (nearly stagnant) )
o They are breeding, feeding and nursery grounds for many estuarine and marine organisms
o Purify the water and air
Economical significanceVast range of wood and non-wood forest products including timber, fuel-wood, charcoal, fodder, honey, pulp, tannin, medicine etco High calorific value of mangrove woodo Employmento Nypa leaves – used to make roofs, baskets, mats; pneumatophores
– used to make bottle stoppers o The ecosystem has a very large unexplored potential for natural
products useful for medicinal purposes & also for salt production, apiculture, fisheries, fuel and fodder etc
o Mangroves also provide opportunities for education, scientific research and ecotourism
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TSUNAMI & MANGROVES:It seems mangrove forest reduced the impact of the tsunami by two ways:o Velocity of the tsunami water is greatly reduced after it enters into
the mangroves due to friction created by thick mangrove foresto Volume of water reaching a point is greatly reduced since tsunami
water, after entering into the mangroves, is distributed to all the canals and creeks that are present all over the mangroves
MANGROVES SPECIES AT THREAT
In India, species of mangrove ecosystems are generally in vulnerable condition. Only 2 mangroves namely Avicennia marina and Excoecaria agallocha are at the IUCN category of lesser risk, and the remaining 37 mangroves are at varying degree of threat. 11 mangroves are “Critically Endangered” and they need intensive care and immediate attention for their protection and propagation for recovery
Conservation And Management Of Mangroves In India
mangroves occur on the : West Coast, East Coast. Andaman and Nicobar Islands.India lost 30-40% of its mangrove area in the last century
NEED FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
• Increasing human population : demand for timber, fuel-wood, fodder and other non-wood forest products (NWFPs)
• Ecological significance
• Economical significance
MANAGEMENT IN INDIA
Government of India set up the National Mangrove Committee for mangrove conservation and development
Scheme For Mangrove Conservation :
o Identification of mangrove areas for conservation;
o preparation of a management plan;
o promotion of research;
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National Mangrove Committee recommended areas for research and development and for management of the mangroves
o nationwide mapping of the mangrove areaso afforestation of degraded mangrove areaso conservation programso assessment of suitable sites for reserve forestso quantitative surveys of area, climatic regime, rate of
growth of forest trees and seasonal variations of environmental parameters
MANGROVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Natural hazards:o cyclones, typhoons and strong wave actiono gastropods that eat young leaves and flowers of
mangroves (in the Middle Andaman)o insect pests such as wood borers, caterpillars which eat
the mangrove foliage and damage the woodo Weeds such as Acrostichum aureum and Acanthus
species, restrict the growth of economic mangroveo crabs, which attack young seedlings, girdle the root
collars
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Problems caused by humans:
o Discharge of industrial pollutants
o Over harvesting
o Use of mangrove land for urban development
RECOMMENDATIONS
o people's involvement in mangrove management
o enforcement of environmental protection laws
o research on problems related to pests and diseases
o restoration and rehabilitation of degraded mangrove areas
Result Of Management
Mangrove conservation and reforestation programme along the central west coast of India have resulted in increased:o public awareness regarding the importance of
mangroveso opening of new avenues for forestry and social forestry
activitieso increased biomass along the estuaries, which has
influenced biological productivity
CONCLUSIONS
o Ecological and Economic significance showing its importance in ecosystem
o Mangrove conservation and development efforts: successful in reducing the degree of problems
Thank You