MangrovesBiodiversity Under Threat

What is the link?

The impacts of the Boxing Day Tsunami would have been lessened if the mangroves had been protected

Many of the affected countries admitted the damage caused was partially self inflicted

For reasons of tourism much of the mangrove that would have partially protected the region has been removed

Since 1961 50% of Thai mangroves have been removed

These tourist areas where mangrove had been removed was area where 5000 people died during the tsunami

In Sri Lanka a tail of contrasts Wanduruppa an area where Mangroves are degraded 5-6000 died, in nearby Kapuhenwala surrounded by 200 hectares of dense mangroves only 2 deaths occurred!

What caused this?

Why are they so special?

They are essential to marine biodiversity

They stabilise coastlines against erosion, collect sediment and provide a nursery for coastal fish

They are an important habitat for a diverse range of marine flora and fauna

They have a symbiotic relationship with coral reefs

Grow in inner tidal areas and estuary mouths

Found along tropical and sub-tropical coasts of Africa, Australia, Asia and the Americas

Greatest diversity of mangrove species is in South East Asia

Where do we find them?

Found in areas with Permanently waterlogged soil With high salinity Areas which arfe frequently flooded or

inundated Areas with intense sunlight and hot weather Areas with a sometimes limited supply of

fresh water

Where do we find them?

The spectacular flora and fauna of the Sundaland Hotspot are succumbing to the explosive growth of industrial forestry in these islands and to the international animal trade that claims tigers, monkeys, and turtle species for food and medicine in other countries. Populations of the orangutan, found only in this hotspot, are in dramatic decline. Some of the last refuges of two Southeast Asia rhino species are also found on the islands of Java and Sumatra. Like many tropical areas, the forests are being cleared for commercial uses. Rubber, oil palm, and pulp production are three of the most detrimental forces facing biodiversity in the Sundaland Hotspot.

Sundra Shelf Mangroves (Sundaland wetlands hotspot)

Vegetation

Mangroves vary in height from shrubs to 40 metres tallProp roots- essential for support in waterlogged ground

Pneumataphores- erect roots that protrude from the stem above water and hang downThey breathe in both water and air using pores known as lenticels which allow oxygen to diffuse into the plant

They have a Zonation pattern- Red mangroves- closest to coast, taking brunt of

wave action, protect inland areas, can survive permanent waterlogging

Black Mangroves- found further inland, protected behind red mangroves. Have pneumatophores to obtain oxygen, die if permanently waterlogged

White Mangroves- furthest from coast least able to survive waterlogging

Vegetation description

Highly productive, nearly as so as Tropical Rainforests Mangrove service provision-

High level of fish, algae and invertebrate production High production of timber and fuel wood, charcoal, fibre and dyes also

construction materials Medium levels of climate regulation- of carbon and greenhouse gas

emissions High level of removal of phosphates and nitrates from soil, regulating

soil pollution Mangroves have high levels of protection of storm surges, floods,

hurricanes and reduce resultant loss of life Provide high levels of habitat for tropical fish- 75% rely on mangroves

in some part of life Medium influence in storing and accumulating organic matter Also medium aid in nutrient recycling

How productive? Service provision?

Economic- areas where the mangroves were in tact suffered less economic damage during Indian Ocean Tsunami

Intact mangroves can provide locals with timber, charcoal, education, protection from storms, fisheries off shore- about $1000 a hectare, in some places $36,000

Can we put a value on Mangroves?

Using the table on pg. 121 how valuable are mangroves to A fisherman A tourist Shrimp farm owner Local resident

Will their attitudes towards biodiversity vary?

Tasks

Over 50% of Mangrove forests have been lost

Only around 15 million hectares remain Thailand has lost 50% of mangrves since

1961 Phillipines- 40% lost between 1918 and

1988. By 1993 only 123,000 hectares left- lost 70% in 70 years

In Ecuador thought between 20- 50% has been lost

Mangrove loss

Asian loss- 50% due to Aquaculture (38% shrimp farming 14% fish farming)

25% lost to deforestation and another 11% to upstream freshwater diversion

In Latin America- due to agriculture and cattle farming, cutting for fuel wood and building material, and beginnings of shrimp agriculture

What is leading the changes?

Shrimp farming has been practised in Thailand for 60 yrs, originally shrimp were trapped in natural environments, but during 70s and 80s farms sprung up

Thailand exports nearly all the shrimp it farms, it provides ½ million tonnes pr year to USA ¼ million to France, UK and Italy

More is now being consumed actually in Thailand since 90s where tourism has increased dramatically

Case Study- impact of shrimp farms on Thai Mangroves

Dulah Kwankwa used to be a rice farmer earning $400 a year, now earns 6 times moreHe turned his rice farm into a shrimp farm- producing 3 crops a year. Dulah has money for first time in life. But he still has to pay off his initial loan and has to borrow more money every year, but he worries a lot more about the debt.

Reduced rural to urban migration from rural Thailand to the Capital Bangkok

Increased wealth in local areas Money has led to improved infrastructure The decaying remains after a cycle of shrimp farming are

toxic and have to be removed This residue affects mangrove fauna and flora negatively It can also lead to disease and infections among those who

are paid to remove it Rice fields and canals experience salinisation Biodiversity is lost

Impacts of Shrimp Farming

Summarise the IMPACTS of shrimp farming on the economy, environment and the local Thai people, list BOTH positive and negative impacts

Using p 124-125 identify the other threats the mangroves are facing

Explain what these threats are and why each is a threat

Tasks

Local organisations- Community Mangrove forests Yadfon, small organisation in Thailand, formed in 1985- working in

Chao Mai, it faced 2 main problems- Mangroves were being destroyed to produce charcoal, which

affected the supply of seafood Yadfon created an 80 hectare community managed mangrove forest-

which did not allow shrimp farms in its borders Destruction of sea grass- by large drag nets and large fishing boats.

Sea grass is am important nursery for species of fish. To protect the sea grass a publicity campaign was launched which led to reduced destruction.

The project also adopted a dugong an animal that lives in and feeds from sea grass- it was adopted as a symbol of their conservation commitment.

Who are the key players involved in the mangrove debate?

EU funded initiative- Biodiversity along coast in Ranong Collaborative project between Natural History museum

London, Wildlife Fund Thailand, Kampaun Fisheries cooperative Main objective is to assess biodiversity and enable long term

environment monitoring. To make info available to locals Developed a number of activities- meeting with locals Open days Newsletters A education officer who liases with local schools Youth camps to raise awareness

Who are the key players involved in the mangrove debate?

A non profit global NGO dedicated to the conservation and wise use of all wetlands. It has 4 long term goals-

Global goal 1- all those who use and impact on wetlands should be well informed about their importance

Global Goal 2- functions and value of wetlands are recognised and integrated into sustainable development

Global Goal 3- conservation and sustainable yield of wetlands is achieved through effective uses of water resources and coasts

Global Goal 4- large scale strategic initiatives result in improved conservation status of species, habitats and ecological networks

Wetlands international

Sustainable Yield- ways in which ecosystems can be productive, but at levels which can be maintained and are sustainable, without causing damage

Green coast- for nature and people after the tsunami- provides capital grants and technical support and advice to support local communities in restoring and managing mangroves, coral reefs and sand dunes

Community based mangrove restoration- to reduce poverty and vulnerability and increase sustainability in Aceh, Indonesia- enabling communities to restore and replicate a mangrove aquaculture ecosystem

Mangrove replanting in Kuala Gula Perak, to rehabilitate degraded mangrove areas, involving private companies in funding community projects

Some wetland international initiatives

TVE Asia- a not for profit media organisation- make programs about issues, made series about the mangroves to inform people of their whereabouts and importance.

The programs made to encourage protection and restoration projects

Asia’s coastal ecosystems- Greenbelts

Thailand has 10 designated Ramsar sites- including the above

Located in Trang province and consists of 3 distinct wetland areas, with a range of habitats including mangroves, mudflats, sandy beaches and coral reefs.

It is important in terms of biodiversity At least 212 bird species have been recorded in the area,

including vulnerable and endangered species Home to at least 22 mammal species including the

endangered Dugong At least 75 fish species are found here- critical to livlihoods

Had Chao National Park, Thailand- A Ramsar Site-

Chao Mai is home to 10,000 people many of whom make a living from fisheries either in canals the trang river or coast areas

Locals rely on wetlands as water source for agriculture

250,000 tourists visit each year and locals earn from them

Despite Chao Mai being a Ramsar site Threats

Habitat change still threatens Over fishing Lack of pollution control

Reliance on wetlands

Ramsar Sites- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands –intergovernmental treaty established 1971 in Iranian city- RamsarIt’s mission is ‘conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development’The convention has 158 member states and 1720 wetland sites totalling 159 million hectares

Assess the projects in terms of each one’s costs and benefits

How effective do you think each will be?

Tasks

Assess the role played by different players in managing areas where biodiversity is under threat (15 marks)

Exam Question