Today, we celebrate #InternationalMangroveDay to recognize mangrove productivity and to remind ourselves of its role in our lives and our planet.
Mangrove ecosystems are known for their significant contribution in fulfilling essential functions for both the environment and human populations. In the Philippines, various plant ecosystems, including mangroves, thrive in different parts of the archipelago due to its tropical climate. Currently, the country’s vast mangrove areas are being threatened due to human intervention, such as conversion to fishponds and occurrence of natural disasters.
Mangroves being one of the earth’s most productive ecosystems means that they are able to efficiently produce important resources and benefits. They have the ability to store their own nutrients and support coastal ecosystem functioning. However, many remain unaware of the role of mangroves in climate change mitigation, specifically their potential in storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
One of the strongest influences on mangrove ecosystem’s productivity is their litterfall production and decomposition. Making up around one third of the mangrove’s deposits, they contribute to the forest’s carbon storage which helps in capturing greenhouse gasses and mitigating global warming. Thus, litterfall is conventionally used to measure the carbon content of mangroves. Moreover, it also serves as a crucial nutrient source for organisms and contributes to organic matter that is vital in estuarine ecosystems. It serves as nurseries and food for the aquatic organisms. This efficient nutrient cycling and retention also allows mangroves to live in harsh nutrient poor marine and estuarine environments, but still be highly productive!
Who knew that twigs, leaves, and a bunch of flowers can play such a huge role in conserving our mangrove ecosystems?
This July 26, as we celebrate the ecosystems best known as protectors against typhoon casualties, breeding grounds for biodiversity, and fighters against climate change and global warming, may we be reminded that our actions lead to the consequences of tomorrow. Join the fight to conserve our mangroves!
This article was written by our interns from the Philippine Science High School System, Marc Bryan P. Caña, Franceska C. Gamutan, Katherine G. Leal, Frances Katharine B. Manalo, during their Science Immersion Program.
Mangrove Ecology 