Marine Biology

Succulent stem

Some mangrove plants are known to have succulent stem to conserve water in its body.

Importance of mangrove forests

•        Protect coastlines against erosive wave action and strong coastal winds, and serve as natural barriers against tsunamis and torrential storms.

•        Refuge and nursery grounds - Mangrove areas are excellent nursery grounds for a variety of commercially important prawns, crabs and fin-fishes, as they provide abundant food and shelter for these organisms. These ecosystems provide food, roosting and nesting site and shelter to a large variety of birds. The evergreen canopies of mangroves are inhabited by several insects, reptiles, birds and mammals. The mangroves support many trophic levels of aquatic and terrestrial organisms, by enriching the fertility of estuarine waters for production of plankton. Many threatened and endangered species are native to mangrove forests, which provide critical habitat for diverse marine and terrestrial flora and fauna, such as: manatees, crab-eating monkeys, fishing cats, monitor lizards, sea turtles, Royal Bengal tigers, mud-skipper fish etc. Mangrove forests also provide refuge and nursery grounds for juvenile fish, crabs, shrimps, molluscs, and other invertebrates. Mangroves are prime nesting and migratory resting and feeding sites for hundreds of bird species. 
•         As  important breeding ground for many fishes, crabs, prawns and other marine animals they are essential for sustaining a viable fishing industry

•       Fallen leaves and branches from mangroves contribute to the forest detritus and provide nutrients for the marine environment. These ecosystems are quite productive (350 – 500 g C m^–2 yr^–1). Intricate food webs of immense varieties of sea life are supported directly through this detritus.

•       Prevent salt water from intruding into rivers.        Retain, concentrate and recycle nutrients and remove toxicants through a natural filtering process.

•        Provide resources for coastal communities who depend on the plants for timber, fuel, food, medicinal herbs and other forest products.