THE IMPORTANCE OF MANGROVE WET LANDS. It’s POLLUTION, THREATS .

E.Kushan, Master of Public AdministrationSchool of Postgraduate Studies

Sri Lanka Institute of Development AdministrationColomboSri Lanka

What are mangroves?Mangroves significantly facilitates in moving organic

matter and energy from the land  to marine ecosystems.Mangroves are those plants that thrive along

coastlines, lagoons, and estuaries in the tropics and sub-tropical regions.

These salt-tolerant plants make significant socio-economic and

environmental contributions as they protect the coastal and inland areas from severe conditions, like erosion, wind, waves, water currents, tsunamis, and storm surge.

Why are mangroves important?Mangroves are often called coastal bio shield because of its crucial role in the ecological system.

They provide a safe refuge for Aquatic organisms, Protects mankind from storm surge, Secures economic livelihood of coastal communities.

Mangroves Map In Sri Lanka

The largest tracts of mangrove habitats in Sri Lanka are found in..

Puttlam Lagoon, Kala Oya basin and Trincomalee.

Source: World Conservation Union

Puttlam Lagoon

Roles of mangroves to the ecosystem

Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems in the world.

In Sri Lanka mangroves occur along the sheltered inertial coastlines associated with estuaries and lagoons.

Mangroves, or mangrove forests, are highly valuable ecosystem that provide a thousand and one benefits to humans, other living organisms, and the environment.

Mangroves provide many ecosystem products and services

HabitatsFeeding groundsNursery and hunting grounds for animalsProtect the lagoonsThe estuaries from erosionReduce pollution of near-shore coastal

waters by trapping pollutantsProvide recreational grounds.Field laboratory for researchersEcotourismOpportunities for bird watching

THE COMMON MANGROVE ANIMALS

Mangrove Fruits.

Mangroves can extract fresh water from the saline water and some have the ability to remove excess salts through special salt glands on leaves.

Importance of Mangrove

They are the buffer zone between the land and the sea.

Mangrove protect the soil from erosion.

They play an invaluable role as a nature’s shield against cyclones, ecological disasters and as protector of shore lines.

They are a breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals.

Harbor a variety of life forms like, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and even mammals.

Good source of timber, fuel and fodder.

Main source of income generation for shore line communities like fisher folk.

Save the marine diversity, which is fast diminishing.

Purify the water by absorbing impurities and harmful heavy metals and help us to breathe a clean air by absorbing pollutants in the area.

Several species of fish, prawns, crabs and mollusca are harvested.

Main Advantages of the MangrovesMaintain coastal water qualityCoral reef protection and nutrients source.Habitat of aquatic animals and fisheries, and

wildlife refuge.Help against climate change and slow down global

warming.Food source and livelihood for coastal communities.Tourism.Useful products.

Waterways surrounded by rich mangrove belts in Vidathaltheevu, Mannar district

Coastal stabilizationDissipate waves by absorbing wave energy and

reducing water velocity.Trap sediments carried by incoming currents and

high tidesControl water flowServe as important catalyst in reclaiming land

from the sea; thus, contributing to land buildingStabilizes the substrate and the coastlinePrevent uncontrolled shifting of the coastline sand

The role of mangrovesBetter connecting mangrove ecosystems with the role

they play in the global carbon cycle and climate system could change the economic calculus for mangroves.

The role of mangroves in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction should be integrated in local and national adaptation plans.

The key role of mangroves as carbon stores and sinks needs to be highlighted in national and international strategies that address climate change.

Enhance existing carbon stocks and reverse CO2 emissions by increasing protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems, and build mangroves into emissions trading and climate change mitigation planning.

Mangrove Forests: ThreatsMangrove forests are one of the world’s most

threatened tropical ecosystems.

More than 35% of the world’s mangroves are already gone.

Over the past thirty years or so, Sri Lanka’s coastal zone has witnessed a rapid conversion of it’s mangroves for various uses such as aquaculture and housing development. This combined with pollution has reduced the benefits of the mangrove habitat for fisheries and sustainable fuel wood production.

POLLUTIONFertilizers, pesticides, and other toxic

man-made chemicals carried by river systems from sources upstream can kill animals living in mangrove forests, while oil pollution can smother mangrove roots and suffocate the trees.

IMPACTS ON MANGROVESHuman Impacts Mangroves are victims of dredging, filling,

and diking, water pollution from oil leakages of ships and urban development within the Sri Lanka.

Polytheane cause to the disturbance of the germination in mangrove

WATER POLLUTIONCausing tremendous damage to mangroves,

herbicides, oil spills, and other types of water pollution may result in the death of these plants.

Oil spills cause damage to mangroves by coating roots, limiting the transport of oxygen to underground roots. Mangrove communities including invertebrates, fishes, and plants are also highly susceptible to damage from petroleum products.

Source Pix-Sunday Times, August 26, 2012-

URBAN DEVELOPMENTUrban development of areas in and near

mangroves results in the destruction of this habitat as well as other associated wetland habitats.

Responsible for total loss of mangrove habitat in some locations, urban development includes the construction of buildings and canal systems as well as the consumption of water by a growing human population. Human activity upland from mangroves may also impact water quality and runoff. These land and coastal activities result in increased erosion as well as the reduction of nursery areas supporting commercial and game fisheries

CLEARINGMangrove forests have often been seen as

unproductive and smelly, and so cleared to make room for agricultural land, human settlements and infrastructure ,and industrial areas.

OVER FISHING

The global overfishing crisis facing the world’s oceans has effects far beyond the directly overfished population. The ecological balance of food chains and mangrove fish communities can also be altered.

OVER HARVESTING

The ecological balance of food chains and mangrove fish communities can also be altered.

RIVER CHANGESDams and irrigation reduce the amount of water

reaching mangrove forests, changing the salinity level of water in the forest.

If salinity becomes too high, the mangroves cannot survive. Freshwater diversions can also lead to mangroves drying out. In addition, increased erosion due to land deforestation can massively increase the amount of sediment in rivers

DESTRUCTION OF CORAL REEFS

Coral reefs provide the first barrier against currents and strong waves.

When they are destroyed, the stronger-than-normal waves and currents reaching the coast can undermine the fine sediment in which the mangroves grow.

This can prevent seedlings from taking root and wash away nutrients essential for mangrove ecosystems.

NATURAL IMPACTS

Mangroves are specially adapted to high salinities and temperatures, tidal changes, and anaerobic sediments.

These same adaptations make them somewhat vulnerable to natural stresses. The aerial roots are especially sensitive to long periods of flooding.

If these specialized roots are covered for extended periods of time by sediments or water, the mangroves may die due to lack of oxygen to the plant tissues.

Ex:Tsunami, Floods.

Tsunami Hit Areas

CLIMATE CHANGE

Mangrove forests require stable sea levels for long-term survival. They are therefore extremely sensitive to current rising sea levels caused by global warming and climate change.

Over 80% of Mangroves pollution comes from land-

based activities

Worse, the remaining mangrove forests continue to be threatened by land use conversion, pollution, and harvesting for timber, fuel and polystyrene. .

Mangroves are among the most powerful natural defenses against global warming. But their decline, due to the spread of polluting agents and clearances.

Solid garbage also makes its way to the ocean. Plastic bags, balloons, glass bottles, shoes, packaging material – if not disposed of correctly, almost everything we throw away can reach the sea and finally it stuck the mangroves.

Government Authorities.Central Environment AuthorityTourist BoardRelevant Urban Councils.Local Governments.Disaster Management Authorities.Coastal Conservation Department.

What can we do to help protect our mangroves?

Support the enforcement & implementation of fishery laws & laws

protecting coastal habits.

Report any violation of these laws to the police or the local government or

central environment authority.

Stop the cutting of mangroves & conversion of mangrove areas in to other

uses.

Rehabilitate/Reforest denuded areas.

Recover abandoned fishponds & Re-establish these as mangrove areas.

Establish mangrove nurseries to provide a reliable source of seedlings for

mangrove replanting & rehabilitation.

Establish/ Support marine protected areas or marine sanctuaries.

Advocate for and support the establishment of a coastal resource and fisheries management programe in local government.

Advocate for and support coastal zoning initiatives that will allow for rationalization of fishing gear and other resources use.

Don’t pollute. Stop others from polluting our coastal areas and river banks.

Educate school childrens, youths, and elder societies, learn more about our marine ecosystems- Coral reefs, mangroves, sea grasses.ect,.

Controlling the tannin work related to coconut products

Members of the Sri Lankan navy join local women to replant mangroves.

Childrens are involved to cultivate the mangroves plants.

Thank You!