Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 5. Magdalena Bay Mangrove, ecosystem Desert succession (Photographer Magdalena
Lagunas, 2011).
transformation results in loss of essential ecosystem services generated by mangroves,
including the provision of fish/crustacean nurseries, wildlife habitat, coastal protection,
flood control, sediment trapping and water treatment. Fish pens and cages also degrade
nearshore habitats through their physical installations on seagrass beds and sediment
communities, or through deposits of uneaten feeds (Primavera, 2006).
The shrimp aquaculture ponds are located in the most biologically productive and
undervalued in the world: marshes, mangrove forests and wetlands. It is clear that the mere
physical presence of ponds for aquaculture production has an impact by hindering the
continued natural flow between coastal environments. Mangrove conversion to shrimp
ponds is the single major factor that has contributed to the negative press received by
aquaculture. Southeast Asia has 35% of the world's 18 million ha of mangrove forests, but
has also suffered from the highest rates of mangrove loss, e.g., 70-80% in the Philippines
and Vietnam for the last 30 years. Around half of the 279,000 ha of Philippine mangroves
lost from 1951 to 1988 were developed into culture ponds; 95% of Philippine brackish water
ponds in 1952-1987 were derived from mangroves (Primavera, 2006)
Prevent environmental impacts on mangroves of Magdalena Bay
Although the ecological importance of Magdalena Bay is evident there are currently no state
or federal programs that regulate the lagoon complex ecological system or the area
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