Salt Marsh and Mangroves (for Coastal Defence) Essay

Salt Marsh and Mangroves (for Coastal Defence) - Essay ExampleMangroves provide a good site for tilteries as the nursery grounds for young fish (fingerlings) and for laying their eggs. Mangrove forest cover is a crucial commence of the bio-diversity of a locality such as giving a good home ground for a host of marine life. This is proven by the presence of three types of fauna found in mangroves which are resident species (living primarily among the mangroves), the seasonal migrants and the cursory species which visit the mangrove stands once in a while. The scientific study of mangroves and salt marsh as part of the conservation efforts is now a recognize field in engineering and of studies in ecology and oceanography. Mangrove forests are natural ecosystems in many coastal areas around the world and provide a natural coastal defence system which is often overlooked by country planners. Mangroves are a good deterrent against erosion caused by higher(prenominal) sea levels due t o global heating plant and a changed wind pattern from various directions and velocities. Unfortunately, mangroves are under threat today from human activities and expansion. This paper willing discuss how mangroves and salt marsh are crucial components in the coastal defence of areas threatened with erosion from tides and strong winds. It will then also trucking rig other issues concerning mangrove forests such as clearing them for firewood, charcoal and the other human needs such as for certain coastal developments like resorts. (Crossland & Kremer 47). adult male today are increasingly seen as major catalysts for change among coastal processes which had not been examined very closely before. Human interventions in areas of the coast form part of the larger anthropocene in which larger ecosystems are impacted. Various threats to Mangrove Forests mangroves are under pressure from us humans especially in developed mangrove areas of the world such as those located along the Nige r and delta areas of the Ganges-Brahmaputra and the Irrawaddy in Burma (Kathiresan 476). Other threats identified are degradation and destruction of the mangroves, plant disease and global warming from climate changes. Some 90% of identified global mangroves are located in developing countries which make these mangrove forests particularly vulnerable to human growing and expansion of human activities. The estimated 18 million kms2 of mangroves in 1997 has since been reduced to a mere 15 million square-kilometres it takes a long time for mangrove forests to recruit once these are destroyed. Human Encroachments this is perhaps the greatest threat to mangroves due to the various activities of humans such as urbanization (like in Singapore), Bangkok, Rangoon and in India (Calcutta and Bombay). some other is agricultural expansion from reclamation activities and for aquaculture purposes such as building ponds for shrimps. Other reasons are cutting the mangroves for firewood, charcoal and lumber (mangrove timber is highly resistant to the accustomed deterioration of wood because of high phenol content). The mangrove areas are usually drained of their salt water content using rain water and protected from salt water intrusions. Degradation this results when the health and productivity of the mangrove areas had deteriorated significantly from various causes. Among identified causes are oil pollution, dumped