Mangrove's relation to the ecology

Mangroves forests provide many "hidden" ecological services such as those mentioned below. While some of them may seem less tangible, they are nonetheless very important.

• Nursery areas for young marine fishes and crabs

The young of many species of crabs and fishes that we eat spend part of their lives between the safe mangrove roots.

• Natural sewage-treatment plant

Mangrove communities are able to do this through nutriend cycling processes.

• Green lungs of the earth

Trees within the mangrove forests aid in producing oxygen through photosynthesis.

• Nature's sponge

Wetlands are able to hold large amounts of water. Massive floods have occured in areas where wetlands have been cleared.

• Coastal Protection

Mangrove forests protect the shoreline from strong winds and waves. The recent tsunami demonstrated that villages located behind intact mangrove forests were more protected from the big waves. The trees bore the wave impact, reducing much of the energy as waves travelled inland.