REVIEW OF RELATER LITERATURE

This chapter contains important knowledge that was used in the study. The importance and
effects of mangrove trees were also discussed. This will also provide additional information on the topic.

I. Significance of Mangrove Trees

Mangrove conservation is very important as they are extremely productive ecosystems.

Because mangroves occupy the intertidal zone, they interact strongly with aquatic, inshore, upstream
and terrestrial ecosystems and in this way, mangroves help to support a diverse flora and fauna of
marine, freshwater and terrestrial species. Study of its insect biodiversity can help in determining its
potential productivity and in better management of mangroves. Insects can be either harmful like pest
insects which are to be managed or beneficial like honeybees which can be helpful in gaining economical
productivity. They play a very important role in ecology of mangrove ecosystem. Insects, can be either
permanent residents or temporary visitors of mangrove environment (Macintosh & Ashton 2002). The
mangrove forests help to stabilize shorelines and reduce the devastating impact of natural disasters
such as tsunamis and hurricanes. They also serve as breeding and nursing grounds for marine finfish and
shellfish species of commercial importance. Mangroves provide a habitat that supports a large number
of insects at different trophic levels. The primary trophic groups are (1) herbivorous insects that feed on
leaves and other plant parts, (2) saproxylic and saprophagous insects that feed on dead and decaying
organic matter, and (3) parasitic and predatory insects that feed or prey on other animals. Measures of
species diversity are important, as their stability over (long) periods of time are frequently seen as
indicators of the well-being of ecological systems. Without insects to help break down and dispose of
wastes, dead animals and plants would accumulate in our environment and it would be messy indeed.
Insects are underappreciated for their role in the food web. They are the sole food source for many
amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals (Purdue, 2014).

Mangroves Ecosystem in the Philippines The Philippine coastal areas have an effective
natural defense in the form of mangrove swamps. Countless coastal habitats, such as mangroves, can
greatly help minimize flooding and erosion, sea level rise and effectively protecting people and property
from storm. For the World Bank WAVES program, a team led by The Nature Conservancy and
IHCantabria valued the coastal protection provided by mangroves in the Philippines and identified
where these natural coastal defenses provide the greatest protection benefits. “Mangrove conservation
and restoration can be an important part of the solution to reducing coastal flood risks, and this work
identifies where mangroves provide the most benefits to the people of the Philippines,” stated by the
Lead Marine Scientist Michael W. Beck, at The Nature Conservancy. The team proceeds to discovered
that if mangroves were not prevalent, flooding and damage to people, property, and infrastructure
would increase by approximately 25% each year. These outcomes have various suggestions for
numerous Environmental programs in the Philippines, including: The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, National Greening Program, the Philippines Integrated Area Development, Risk
Resilience and Sustainability Program, the Green Climate Fund and People Survival Fund; and the
Comprehensive Land Use Plans of local governments. Since early 2010's, The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was continuously advocating for periodic mangrove planting
and plans to plant mangroves in over 50K hectares of swamps, particularly in typhoon-prone areas.

II. Effects

Mangrove Planting in Zamboanga City A mangrove wetland is a multifunctional ecosystem.

It is regarded as the best type of coastal bioshield because it plays an important role in mitigating the
effects of cyclonic storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis on human lives and property (Danielsen et al., 2005;
Selvam, 2005). The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) maintains a
mangrove propagules nursery in support to Zamboanga City’s mangrove coastal rehabilitation project in
a Village in Barangay Mampang. The Masepla site, which used to be a provisional location for 2013 siege
victims, is 16 hectares in size and is currently developing long-term rehabilitation by the local
government unit. Representatives from both government and non-government organizations are all
involved in the rehabilitation activity.

III. Mangroves Provide Solution to Coastal Problems

To the uninitiated, mangroves might appear to be merely coastal cousins of inland forests,
but these rich ecosystems support the planet and people in unique ways, from providing breeding
grounds for fish to carbon storage, to protection against flooding. Yet despite their importance,
mangrove forests are under threat. Over a third have already disappeared, and in regions such as the
Americas they are being cleared at a faster rate than tropical rainforests. Much of that clearance is to
reclaim land for agriculture, industrial development and infrastructure projects. In addition to climate
change and pollution, there are also local threats. These include overharvesting of wood for fuel and
construction, dams and irrigation that reduce the flow of water reaching the forests, and overfishing
causing disruption to food chains and fish communities. Mangroves are a natural coastal defense; the
sturdy root systems of mangrove trees help form a natural barrier against violent storm surges and
floods. River and land sediment is trapped by the roots, which protects coastline areas and slows
erosion. This filtering process also prevents harmful sediment reaching coral reefs and seagrass
meadows. In 2017, the UN Ocean Conference estimated that nearly 2.4 billion people live within 100 km
of the coast. Mangroves provide valuable protection for communities at risk from sea-level rises and
severe weather events caused by climate change.

REFERENCES:

https://www.preventionweb.net/news/view/54491 https://maritimereview.ph/mangrove-forests-in-
the-philippines/

http://www.fao.org/3/ai387e/ai387e06.htm https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/world-wetlands-day-
zamboanga-city-leads-mangrove-planting-in-mampang/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/02/5-reasons-to-protect-mangrove-forests-for-the-future/
#:~:text=The%20sturdy%20root%20systems%20of,coral%20reefs%20and%20seagrass%20meadows.