Mangroves have a pivotal role in coastal protection and sustainable play, and provide many benefits for biodiversity, climate toughness, and human well -being.Including Singapore, many countries have realized the importance of mangrove ecosystems and actively implement various maintenance and restoration measures.
On December 26, 2004, a large earthquake of the seabed above 9 or above in the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggers a tsunami of up to 30 meters.destroy.It is worth noting that the degree of destruction of the tsunami seems to be alleviated in areas covered by mangroves.
Mangroves, known as the "marine rain forest", are a unique coastal ecosystem distributed in global tropical and subtropical regions.In the Indian Ocean tsunami, the mangroves of the Thai Panya Prefecture form a natural barrier, which reduces the impact of the tsunami.The dense mangrove vegetation absorbs the shock wave of most waves, protects inland areas, and reduces damage to buildings and infrastructure.In contrast, those areas where mangroves are cleared and used in aquaculture or tourism, the tsunami causes serious direct damage.This observation shows a key role in the protection of mangroves on the protection of the coast.
Mangroves in Indonesia also played the role of protecting the tsunami destruction of coastal communities from tsunami destruction.The villages behind the complete mangrove forest experienced lighter damage and casualties, while those villages that lack mangroves have been impacted.The toughness of the former mangroves can be attributed to the conservation work of the community for many years, repairing the mangrove habitat of the coast.
This natural disaster is a sheriff of nature, reminding governments, non -governmental organizations and local communities to attach importance to the protection of coastal natural habitats.As a natural buffer, mangroves can not only resist the impact of the tsunami, but also alleviate natural disasters such as rainstorms, hurricanes and soil loss.Mangroves are also regarded as a natural solution to the coastal floods. Its dense root system and vegetation help offset the impact of waves and reduce the impact of storm moisture and floods, thereby protecting the coastal areas and infrastructure.The root system of mangroves also promotes the accumulation of sediments, which plays a role in helping stabilize the coastline and protects the internal erosion phenomenon caused by soil erosion.
In addition to protecting the coast, mangroves can also effectively absorb carbon dioxide in the air through photosynthesis and store them in biomass and sediments.As one of the highest carbon content on the planet, a mangrove can absorb about 12.3 kg of carbon dioxide a year. The carbon storage of global mangroves is about 11 billion tons.By absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, mangroves play a key role in slowing climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fighting global warming; global warming is one of the main causes of continuous rise in sea level.
Mangroves also provide a ecological environment for many animals and plants, especially many threatening and endangered species.As a habitat, breeding place, and shelter in ocean and land biology, it ensures biodiversity and ecosystem toughness.
In terms of business perspective, mangroves are also important habitats for many commercial value fish, shellfish and crustaceans.Coastal fisheries relied on the mangrove ecosystem to lay eggs, supplement and grow, and provide food and livelihoods for millions of people around the world.
The threat facing mangroves
Although mangroves have ecological and socio -economic importance, it is facing many threats.The latest survey of the International Nature Protection Alliance (IUCN) shows that half of the world's mangroves in the world are on the verge of collapse due to human activities and environmental pressure, such as sea level rising and extreme climate change.Mangrove habitat has rapidly transformed and lost due to urbanization, industrialization, tourism and infrastructure development.Construction projects such as reclamation, dredging, and ports, roads and resorts have led to division and degeneration of mangrove habitats, reducing the scope and quality of mangrove ecosystems.Mangroves are also excessively cut off for products such as wood, fuel wood, charcoal and non -wood forests, causing a sharp decrease in quantity.
In addition to the expansion of the fishery and breeding industry, in addition to the coastal development, especially in Asia and Latin America, mangrove forests are also transformed into aquaculture pools to exacerbate the widespread loss of habitats, biological diversity and ecosystem services.In addition, the pollution of industrial emissions, agricultural runoff, sewage discharge and solid waste also reduces water quality, threatening the health of the mangrove ecosystem.Heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum leaks, plastic and other pollutants have also damaged nutrient cycling and damaged the function of the ecosystem, which further causes the degeneration of habitat and the loss of biodiversity.
About 15%of the world's coastlines are covered by mangroves.If it is not intervened, a quarter of which may be submerged within 50 years.It will be the key ecosystem of India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.In view of the importance of mangroves in protecting the coast and sustainable development, how should we protect this ecosystem?
Establishing a mangrove protected area is one of the methods.
Save our mangrove forests
By delineating the reserves, national parks and wetland conventions, we can provide legal protection and management for the mangrove ecosystem to ensure its long -term conservation and sustainable use.Examples of some protected areas include Berbak National Park, Ranong Biosphere Reserve in Thailand, the Mangrove Biosphere Reserve in Mangrove Biomas in Vietnam, and Singapore's Shuangxi Bolo Wetland Reserve.
Another strategy is to implement comprehensive coastal management (ICZM).Through the participation of stakeholders, ICZM and relevant decision -making management departments include mangrove conservation into a wider range of coastal planning and development, thereby resolving conflicts of interest and balanced socio -economic development and environmental protection.The ICZM project funded by the World Bank and the ICZM project in India is a good example of conservation of coastal ecosystems, including the Ganges Delta mangroves, and promoting sustainable development.
Through tree planting and ecosystem repair projects, we can re -establish disappearing biological diversity and ecosystem services, restore the degenerate mangrove habitat, and strengthen their recovery ability and toughness.We can also promote the community -led recovery plan and mangrove planting activities, and encourage local communities to participate in and manage the conservation of mangroves.The Mangrove restoration campaign in the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam and the 100 million mangrove -making projects in Dubai are all excellent examples of such plans.
The contribution of Singapore to the protection of mangroves
Although the mangrove vegetation in Singapore has also been affected by urbanization, reclamation and infrastructure development, the official efforts are still in the protection of species.There are currently about 35 kinds of True Mangrove in Singapore, accounting for about half of the global mangrove species.During the years of mangrove research, the author has witnessed the establishment of the designated trails designated trails in Mangroves, such as the Shuangxi Brosum Wetland Reserve, Berlayer Creek, and Baisha Park to reduce unnecessary artificial interference.In these forest areas, red tree species such as Avicennia, Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Sonneraatia, and Lumnitzra are red tree species.Even Avicennia Rumphiana, which is listed as the "Dangerous" species listed as the IUCN red list, is also defined as a "critical" species for its local number.
This shows that governments can play a key role in conservation of mangroves through policies, regulations, financial and capable construction measures.Singapore governmentThe mangrove conservation is integrated into the urban development plan.Establishing measures such as nature reserves and development of green and blue infrastructure highlights that Singapore also promises to adhere to ecological balance while promoting urban development.The official purpose is to enhance the coastal toughness, such as setting up the coastal toughness, such as setting up the Long Island Plan.
In the next few years, the official will donate 680,000 yuan from the Singapore Rotary Club Foundation to create a mangrove greenhouse in the center of the Graphic Digital Zone.The project will be committed to continuously protecting the diverse mangroves and re -introduce the lost local species.
Mangroves have a pivotal role in coastal protection and sustainability, providing many benefits for biodiversity, climate toughness and human well -being.Including Singapore, many countries have realized the importance of mangrove ecosystems and actively implement various maintenance and restoration measures.This plays a key role in protecting the protection of coastal areas, maintaining marine life diversity, and the sustainable development of environmental challenges.
Looking forward to the future, governments, stakeholders, and international communities in various countries must support mangrove protection and incorporate them into a broader coastal planning and environmental policy.Government, non -governmental organizations, academic circles, and local communities are particularly important to mobilize resources, share knowledge and expand protection.Save mangrove forests not only maintain biological diversity and alleviate climate change, but also protect the safety and well -being of coastal residents including Singapore.
The author is a senior researcher at the Institute of Environmental Research, the National University of Singapore
President of local soil and ecological enterprise
