Mangrove Ecosystem

CH10B043 Nitesh Rewar CH10B048 Smit Patoliya CH10B050 Prakhar Dutt

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 mudflats 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 25N and 25S. o Where the water temperature is greater then 24C o 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 cattles 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 significance
o Filters UV-B radiation o Protects the coast against erosion and protect coral reefs, sea-grass bed and shipping lanes against siltation o Traps and stabilizes sediments o Hosts a number of threatened or endangered species o 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

Contd
Economical significance
Vast range of wood and non-wood forest products including timber, fuel-wood, charcoal, fodder, honey, pulp, tannin, medicine etc o High calorific value of mangrove wood o Employment o 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

Contd
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 forest o 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;

Contd
National Mangrove Committee recommended areas for research and development and for management of the mangroves o o o o o nationwide mapping of the mangrove areas afforestation of degraded mangrove areas conservation programs assessment of suitable sites for reserve forests 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 action o 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 wood o Weeds such as Acrostichum aureum and Acanthus species, restrict the growth of economic mangrove o crabs, which attack young seedlings, girdle the root collars

Contd
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 mangroves o opening of new avenues for forestry and social forestry activities o 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