Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Large demographic pressure is exerting tremendous stress on the coastal environment. The main culprit in the destruction of mangroves is man. To achieve harmful supremacy over nature, human have destroyed this magnificent ecosystem almost irreparably. Land reclamations and industrial effluents are the major causes of mangroves degradation.Systematic dumping of all kinds of waste and debris in the mangrove areas destroys them. Land reclamations and industrial effluents are the major causes of mangroves degradation.
This waste/debris creates a barrier preventing the sea water from entering the mangroves and eventually kills the mangroves. In many instances, this is done intentionally to reclaim land for construction activity. There is an urgent need to stop this systematic degradation of mangroves.
Major threats
• Land reclamations for construction activity, aquaculture, agriculture, tourism• Industrial and domestic pollution• Port development• Dumping of all kinds of waste and debris• Deforestation for fuel wood• Over harvesting of marine resources
Threats to the Mangroves
Resistant by nature, mangroves have withstood natural disasters for millions of years, now this valuable ecosystem is among the most threatened habitats in the world. Until recently these areas were considered useless wastelands making it easy for exploitation. The rapidly growing shrimp industry has been the biggest threat to the mangroves. Forests have been clear-cut in order to provide a cheap source of land and water for shrimp farmers. The dense forests are destroyed to make room for artificial shrimp ponds. Globally 50% of the mangrove forests have been destroyed due to clear cutting for shrimp farms. On the mainland of Ecuador between 20-50% of the mangrove forests have been demolished. Northwest region of Ecuador alone lost nearly 90% of its Mangroves.
living nature
4:52 PM
