World Mangrove Day 2024
Mangroves are unique forests found on the shores of rivers, estuaries and bays of temperate, tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Mangrove trees have evolved unique characteristics, the structural roots are far higher than normal trees and the roots that they use to absorb oxygen are exposed. These traits allow the trees to survive inundation and compensate for the lack of oxygen in the sediment and soil.
Despite over 100 different countries having mangroves, they only account for 1% of all tropical forest coverage worldwide. Australia's mangroves make up only 0.6% of our entire forest coverage.
Mangroves are extremely important for biodiversity and species sustainability. Fish and crustaceans, including many species that are important sources of food locally and commercially spawn in mangroves. Many other species of bird, reptile, amphibian and mammal use mangroves in order to find food, shelter or breeding grounds.
Mangroves are also effective carbon sinks and can absorb over 3000 tons of carbon per hectare. These regions also act as a natural defense against surges, tsunamis and erosion.
Despite mangroves being as important as they are rare, they're disappearing at 3 to 5 times the rate of other forest losses worldwide. We've lost half of all the mangroves worldwide in just 40 years.
This World Mangrove Day please take some time out of your day to learn more about mangroves and what can be done to protect mangrove ecosystems both in Australia and worldwide.
Further Reading:
Australian Environmental Education
Banner photo by Alan Landford
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