On for coastal mangroves
most diverse ecosystems on the Earth, housing and feeding a wide range of plants and animals, and play an important role in the fight against climate change and coastal erosion. They store more carbon than terrestrial forests, significantly reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
*Mangroves are often considered unique plants because of their abilities to withstand and thrive in tough environmental factors such as water poor in oxygen content, salt water, fresh water and brackish water (a mixture of salt and fresh water). To survive these harsh conditions, mangroves have a variety of unique adaptations: some species have the ability to release salt crystals through salt glands in their leaves, black mangroves have pencil like roots called pneumatophores which stick out of the ground enabling the plant to breathe when submerged, and some practice viviparity (their seeds germinate while attached to the plant before falling to the ground).
* Mangroves also provide optimum housing areas for apiaries (bee hives).
Cycle of Mangroves Due to the dynamic nature of Guyana’s coasts, there is a continuous cycle of land attrition (breakdown) and accretion (build up) of our coastlines. As a result, mangrove populations experience fluctuating periods of tremendous growth and death. This is one of the biggest and main natural threats to mangrove ecoregions. In addition to this threat however, anthropogenic factors (human activities) and climate change all leave mangrove ecosystems vulnerable. This has prompted worldwide restoration efforts, with Guyana being no exception. There are many species of mangroves found in Guyana, However local restoration efforts, 3 major species stand out - black, red and white mangroves. Of these three, the black mangrove is the most commonly used due to its high salt tolerance and efficiency at holding the soil together. Their large branched roots help to hold the soil firmly in place and provide protection against heavy waves. The campaign also warned of threats to the mangrove population in Guyana. It highlighted human activities such as the dumping of garbage, cutting down of mangroves for their bark (which is used in the curing of leather or fishing poles), or forest clearing to create land space which along with climate change, threatens the existence of this natural sea defence. Windsor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara was cited as an example of an area that has witnessed the complete destruction of a once thriving mangrove population. In the absence of mangroves, millions of dollars has to be invested in building sea defences.
Unfortunately so far, efforts to protect and extend mangrove coverage in Guyana have so far failed to deliver the expected results. Based on this fact, the campaign posits that is with urgency that an immediate halt be placed on activities that are damaging Guyana’s mangroves and to save what remains, the release added.
For more information on mangroves contact:
Deopaul Somwaru +592 6943295 | Email: Deopaul.somwaru@gmail .com
Zoya Samaroo- Email: Zoya.olivia.samaroo@gm ail.com