MANGROVE ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE

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Context: Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav spoke at the Launch of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC). This event was held on the side-lines of the ongoing COP 27 at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

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India has demonstrated expertise in mangrove restoration for nearly five decades and can contribute to the global knowledge base due to its extensive experience, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said at the launch of the “Mangrove Alliance for Climate”
He said mangroves were the best option to fight the consequences of climate change and can help countries meet their nationally determined contributions. NDCs are national plans to limit global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The UAE and Indonesia launched the alliance on the sidelines of the UN climate summit COP27, being held in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt from November 6 to 18. The alliance aims to strengthen conservation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems worldwide. India, Australia, Japan, Spain and Sri Lanka have joined it as partners.
Creating a new carbon sink from mangrove afforestation and reducing emissions from mangrove deforestation are two feasible ways for countries to meet their NDC targets and achieve carbon neutrality, he said.
As part of this alliance, an international mangrove research centre will be established in Indonesia which will conduct studies on mangrove ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and ecotourism.
India believes COP27, themed ‘Together for Implementation’, should turn out to be the ‘COP for Action’ in terms of climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building.

What is a mangrove?

A mangrove is a small tree or shrub that grows along coastlines, taking root in salty sediments, often underwater.
The word ‘mangrove’ may refer to the habitat as a whole or to the trees and shrubs in the mangrove swamp.
Mangroves are flowering trees, belonging to the families Rhizophoraceae, Acanthaceae, Lythraceae, Combretaceae, and Arecaceae.

Why mangroves matter?

The upper trunk, including the branches and leaves, of a mangrove tree lives completely above the waterline, while the lower trunk and the large root system are partly covered by seawater.
Many species have roots diverging from stems and branches and penetrating the soil some distance away from the main stem (like banyan trees).

What are some of the special features of mangroves?

Saline environment:A speciality of mangroves is that they can survive under extreme hostile environment such as high salt and low oxygen conditions. Mangrove trees contain a complex salt filtration system and complex root system that filter out 90% of the salt when come into contact with saline and brackish water.
Low oxygen:In a mangrove environment, the oxygen in soil is limited or nil. Hence the mangrove root system absorbs oxygen from the atmosphere. Mangroves have special roots for this purpose called breathing roots or pneumatophores. These roots have numerous pores through which oxygen enters the underground tissues.
Mangroves, like desert plants, store fresh water in thick succulent leaves. A waxy coating on the leavesseals in water and minimises evaporation.
Viviparous – their seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree. Once germinated, the seedling grows into a propagule. The mature propagule then drops into the water and gets transported to a different spot, eventually taking root in a solid ground.

How do mangrove forests help protect against strong cyclones?

Mangrove forests act as natural barriers against storm surge, coastal flooding and sea level rise. Their intricate root system stabilises the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges.Together with the tree trunks, they work like speed-breakers to slow down the tides.
They protect shorelines from damaging winds and waves.
Mangroves also help prevent erosion by stabilising sediments with their tangled root systems.

What are the other benefits to the environment?

Mangrove thickets maintain water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediments originating from land.
They provide habitat for a diverse array of terrestrial organisms. Their branches provide homes for lizards, snakes and nesting birds. Many species of coastal and offshore fish and shellfish rely exclusively on mangroves as their breeding, spawning, and hatching grounds.
Mangroves also have a big impact on climate. Mangroves are powerhouses when it comes to carbon storage.Mangroves can sequester (lock away) greater amount of carbon than other trees in the peat soil beneath. They store this carbon for thousands of years.
Many people living in and around mangroves depend on them for their The trees are a source of wood for construction and fuel. The ecosystem provides local fishermen with a rich supply of fish, crabs and shellfish. The ecosystem also supports tourism.

Where are mangrove ecosystems found?

Mangroves can be found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Asia has the largest coverage of the world’s mangroves, followed by Africa, North and Central America, Oceania and South America.

In India:

The deltas of the Ganges, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and the Cauveryrivers contain mangrove forests.
The backwaters in Kerala have a high density of mangrove forest.
The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest mangrove region in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans from the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh.
The Bhitarkanika mangrove system in Odishais India’s second largest mangrove forest. Pichavaram in Tamil Naduhas a vast expanse of water covered with mangrove forests. It is home to many aquatic bird species.

What are the threats to mangroves?

At least one third of all mangrove forests has been lost during the last few decades.
Coastal development, including construction of shrimp farms, hotels, and other structures, is the primary threat to mangroves.
Mangrove forests are cleared to make room for agricultural land and human settlements.
Mangrove trees are used for firewood, construction wood, charcoal production, and animal fodder. In some parts of the world, there has been overharvesting which is no longer sustainable.
Overfishing, pollution, and rising sea levels are the other threats to mangrove forests and their ecosystem.