Mangrove Swamps

Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands found in

tropical and subtropical regions. They are
characterized by halophytic (salt loving) trees,
shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline
tidal waters. These wetlands are often found in
estuaries, where fresh water meets salt water and
are infamous for their impenetrable maze of woody
vegetation. In North America, they are found from
the southern tip of Florida along the Gulf Coast to
Texas. Florida's southwest coast supports one of the
largest mangrove swamps in the world.

BLACK MANGROVES

Avicennia
 WHITE MANGROVES

Laguncularia
racemosa

RED MANGROVES

Rhizophera
mangle

Mangrove trees dominate this wetland ecosystem

due to their ability to survive in both salt and fresh
water. In the continental United States, only three
species of mangrove grow: red, black, and white
mangroves. Red Mangrove (Rhizophera mangle) is
easily recognized by its distinctive arching roots.
Black Mangrove (Avicennia sp.), which often grows
more inland, has root projections called
pneumatophores, which help to supply the plant with
air in submerged soils. White Mangroves
(Laguncularia racemosa) often grow even farther
inland with no outstanding root structures.
What are the Importance

Mangroves protect shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves, and
floods. Mangroves also help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root
systems. They maintain water quality and clarity, filtering pollutants and trapping sediments
originating from land
1. Biodiversity. Home to an incredible array of species, mangroves are biodiversity hotspots.
They provide nesting and breeding habitat for fish and shellfish, migratory birds, and sea
turtles. An estimated 80% of the global fish catch relies on mangrove forests either directly or
indirectly. In the Bay of Jiquilisco, there are at least 2 crocodile, 3 bivalve, 3 crab and shrimp, 4
sea turtle, 9 bird, and 12 amphibian species, as well as numerous species of fish. Several of
these animal species are endangered.

2. Livelihoods. The rural communities we work with are fishers and farmers who depend on
their natural environment to provide for their families. Healthy mangrove ecosystems mean
healthy fisheries from which to fish, and healthy land on which to farm. Since 2011, we’ve
worked with communities to define and implement Local Plans for Sustainable Use (PLAS, by its
Spanish acronym) to regulate the use of natural resources like fish, clams and crabs, and
ensure that future generations will be able to count on these same resources. Check out
this video from Friends of the Earth about mangroves and livelihoods:

3. Water. Mangroves are essential to maintaining water quality. With their dense network of
roots and surrounding vegetation, they filter and trap sediments, heavy metals, and other
pollutants. This ability to retain sediments flowing from upstream prevents contamination of
downstream waterways and protects sensitive habitat like coral reefs and seagrass beds below.

4. Coastal defense. Mangroves are the first line of defense for coastal communities. They
stabilize shorelines by slowing erosion and provide natural barriers protecting coastal
communities from increased storm surge, flooding, and hurricanes. In 2003, it was estimated
that a quarter of the world’s population lived within 100 kilometers of the coast and at 100
meters of sea level. Robust mangrove forests are natural protection for communities
vulnerable both to sea level rise and the more intense and frequent weather events caused by
climate change.

5. Carbon storage. Mangroves “sequester carbon at a rate two to four times greater than

mature tropical forests and store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than
tropical forests” like the Amazon rainforest. This means that conserving and restoring
mangroves is essential to fighting climate change, the warming of the global climate fueled by
increased carbon emissions, that is already having disastrous effects on communities
worldwide. At the same time, mangroves are vulnerable to climate change as sea level rise
pushes ecosystems inland.

6. Materials. In addition to consuming fish and shellfish from the mangroves, communities

have historically used mangrove wood and other extracts for both building and medicinal
purposes. Their potential as a source for novel biological materials, such as antibacterial
compounds and pest-resistance genes, remains largely undiscovered. Mangroves represent
less than 0.4% of the the world’s forest, but they’re disappearing three to five times faster than
forests as a whole. Along with our partners, we are supporting communities in implementing
innovative techniques like Ecological Mangrove Restoration (EMR) to help mangroves thrive.

7. Sustainable development. Intact and healthy mangrove forests in El Salvador have an

untapped potential for sustainable revenue-generating initiatives including ecotourism, sport
fishing, and other recreational activities. Whereas unregulated development threatens
mangroves – like mega tourism projects in Mexico, polluting industries in India and Vietnam, or
large-scale shrimp aquaculture in many parts of the world – locally-led community
development can offer economic growth without compromising coastal ecosystems.

Why are Mangroves Important?

Mangroves protect the seashore from the sea and help to prevent the sea from flooding
our homes.
Mangroves provide food and homes for animals which are then used by the community.
Mangroves provide income for beekeepers, fisherfolk and other coastal people.

1. They are a natural coastal defence

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.

2. They are carbon sinks

Coastal forests help the fight against global warming by removing carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere, most of which is stored within the plant. When
mangrove tree roots, branches and leaves die they are usually covered by
soil, which is then submerged under tidal water, slowing the breakdown of
materials and boosting carbon storage.

Research shows that coastal mangroves outperform most other forests in

their capacity to store carbon. An examination of 25 mangrove forests across
the Indo-Pacific region found that per hectare, they held up to four times more
carbon than other tropical rainforests.
 3. They provide livelihoods

Many people living in and around mangroves depend on them for their
livelihood. The trees are a reliable source of wood for construction and fuel,
which is prized for its hardy resistance to both rot and insects. However, in
some areas, the wood has been harvested commercially for pulp, wood chip
and charcoal, raising concerns about sustainability.

Plant extracts are collected by locals for their medicinal qualities and the
leaves of mangrove trees are often used for animal fodder.

The forest waters provide local fishermen with a rich supply of fish, crabs and
shellfish to sell for income.

Have you read?

 The world needs to live up to promises made on biodiversity. Here’s how

 Southeast Asia's ecosystem is in serious trouble

 We've lost 60% of wildlife in less than 50 years

4. They encourage ecotourism

Sustainable tourism offers a stimulus to preserve existing mangrove areas,

with potential to generate income for local inhabitants.

Often located near to coral reefs and sandy beaches, the forests provide a
rich environment for activities like sports fishing, kayaking and birdwatching
tours.

Of course, it is important to maintain a balance between visitor numbers and

protecting the forests’ delicate ecosystem.

If held at sustainable levels, ecotourism could provide the perfect motivation to

protect mangroves, instead of clearing them for mass tourism developments.

5. They are rich in biodiversity

Human activity has caused huge biodiversity loss in land and marine
ecosystems around the globe, endangering many plant and animal species.

By filtering coastal waters, mangroves form a nutrient-rich breeding ground for

numerous species that thrive above and below the waterline.

A huge variety of wildlife lives or breeds in the mangrove ecosystem, including

numerous fish, crab and shrimp species, molluscs, and mammals like sea
turtles. The trees are home to an array of nesting, breeding and migratory
birds. When mangrove forests are cleared valuable habitat is lost, threatening
the survival of myriad species.