Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The number of mangrove species and associ-
ated plants vary across different parts of the world.
They are most proli
below the ground, which represents a potentially
vital carbon sink. When mangroves are removed
for other purposes the region changes from being
a carbon sink
Mangroves are salt-tolerant forest ecosystems
found mainly in the tropical and subtropical
intertidal regions of the world. They encompass
swamps, forest land within, and the surrounding
water bodies. It is a matter of great surprise that
mangrove
c around South-East Asia,
and most live within the Tropic of Cancer and
Tropic of Capricorn. Yet there are a few species to
be found even in the cooler, temperature climates.
But whether in the hot, humid marshes or far away
from the tropical sun, mangroves across the globe
have one similarity. They have a remarkable
ability to adapt and survive in their suffocating,
salt-laden environment.
Among the less obvious role of mangroves is
that they have a far-reaching effect on mitigating
the effects of global warming. They not only
serve as carbon sinks in tropical and subtropical
coastal regions, but they also protect communi-
ties in these parts from storms and surges asso-
ciated with global warming. Coastal studies that
have analysed the carbon budget of mangroves
have found that mangroves are highly effective
carbon sinks. These trees absorb carbon dioxide,
thus taking carbon out of circulation and reduc-
ing the amount of greenhouse gas in the envi-
ronment. Studies on their photosynthesis, sap
fl
oral species can thrive luxuriantly in
saline habitat (which is basically physiologically
dry in nature) through orientation of their mor-
phological, anatomical and physiological sys-
tems. Thus, this vegetation is the most ef
fl
ciently
adapted biotic community in response to climate
change induced sea level rise.
Mangroves are circumtropical in distribution
and this forest community occupies approxi-
mately 75 % of the total tropical coastline.
Northern extension of this coastline occurs in
Japan (31
°
′
°
′
N),
whereas southern extensions are in New Zealand
(38
°
03
′
S), Australia (38
°
45
′
S) and on the east
coast of South Africa (32
22
N) and Bermuda (32
20
S). Globally, man-
groves are distributed in 112 countries and terri-
tories. It is interesting to note that mangrove plants
are not native to the Hawaiian Islands
°
59
′
ow and other processes in leaves have shown
that mangroves have an exceptional ability to
assimilate carbon. Mangrove habitats are
responsible for carbon sequestration where much
of the carbon ends up in forest sediments and
remains therefore thousands of years. Nearly
38 % of the biomass of mangrove forests is
six spe-
cies have been introduced there since the year
1900. The mangrove diversity is more in South-
East Asian countries (Fig.
2.17
). The region holds
nearly 75 % of the world
—
'
s mangrove species with
Fig. 2.17
Global distribution of mangrove diversity (after UNEP
2002
)
