New Delhi: The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is observed every July 26. It is a day the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) observes globally. The General Conference of UNESCO designated this day in 2015, and it was first held in July 2016. In this article, let us look at the day’s importance and why mangroves are important for our ecosystem.
International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem: Why is the day important?
Mangroves are incredibly important ecosystems that support a diverse array of plant and animal species. Their unique soils also play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change. Additionally, mangroves serve as natural barriers, protecting coastal areas from the destructive impacts of storm surges and flooding.
Regrettably, UNESCO reports a distressing trend: countries have experienced a substantial decline in their mangrove populations. More than 40 per cent of these vital ecosystems disappeared between 1980 and 2005, a stark reminder of the urgent need for their protection.
Recognising the value of these ecosystems, UNESCO has taken significant steps to protect mangroves. They have incorporated them into Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage sites, and UNESCO Global Geoparks. Their protection also extends to preserving the blue carbon ecosystem, which is integral to the health of mangroves. This underscores the need for global cooperation in conservation efforts.
Mangroves are ecosystems often misunderstood and undervalued (Photo credit: Amith Nag Photography/Moment/Getty Images)
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said, “Mangroves are in danger: it has been estimated that more than three-quarters of the world’s mangroves are under threat along with all the aquatic and terrestrial organisms that depend on them. For this reason, UNESCO is acting to protect them and other valuable blue carbon ecosystems, through its networks of Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks and natural World Heritage sites.”
Facts about Mangroves
Mangroves are ecosystems often misunderstood and undervalued. These coastal forests are sometimes viewed as unattractive or useless, with some preferring to clear them for beachfront developments. However, these perceptions need to be more accurate.
Mangroves are unique in their ability to thrive in salty waters and contribute to water quality by filtering out nutrients and sediments. They support a diverse range of life, with over 1,500 plant and animal species depending on them, including fish and birds that use the shallow waters beneath mangrove trees as nurseries.
Recent research has shown that mangroves are important for larger mammals such as monkeys, sloths, tigers, hyenas, and African wild dogs.
Protecting and restoring mangroves is crucial in the fight against climate change. They are among the most carbon-rich ecosystems on the planet, storing an average of 1,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare in their biomass and underlying soils.
The first fossil of the mangrove tree dates back 75 million years.
A village in Tamil Nadu, India, planted 80,244 plants along its coastal line, and when the 2004 tsunami hit, the village remained largely unaffected while neighbouring areas were flooded.
It’s interesting to note that most mangrove fruits are bitter, but mangrove apples are a common edible fruit found in the mangrove forests.
The Sundarban mangrove forest in West Bengal, India, is the largest in the world, and parts have been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Sundarban mangrove forest (Photo credit: Mohammad Saiful Islam/Moment/Getty Images)
These coastal forests play a key role in sequestering carbon, a crucial process for mitigating climate change. They convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into oceanic sediments, acting as a critical environmental regulator and highlighting their significant ecological significance.
Mangrove trees are remarkable in surviving conditions that most timber cannot endure. They have a unique mechanism for dealing with salty seawater, as they release salt from their leaves and bark, an awe-inspiring feat and testament to their resilience.
However, despite their crucial role, it’s disheartening that more than one-fifth of mangrove forests have been lost since 1980 due to human-induced environmental changes. This loss should serve as a wake-up call, motivating us to protect and restore these vital ecosystems.
UNESCO established World Mangrove Day during the 2015 General Conference to raise awareness of the vital mangrove ecosystem. The day is intended to advocate for the conservation and sustainable development of mangrove forests. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
