The black and white mangroves grow vertically above the ground and help support red mangroves living conditions under water. The black and white mangroves use their roots as snorkels to breathe in oxygen for the red mangroves. Black mangroves expel salt from the red mangrove roots through its leaves to help the red mangrove breathe better. These mangroves work with one another to survive in its environment.
Mangroves are one of Florida's true native environments. The southwest coast of Florida is home to one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. Florida has estimated about 469,000 acres of mangrove swamps contribute to the overall quality of health of the southern coastal zone. The relationship between mangroves and the marine life associated with it cannot be overemphasized.
• This ecosystem traps and cycles various organic materials, chemical elements, and important nutrients through the environment. Mangrove roots act both as physical traps and as a source of providing attachment surfaces for several marine organisms.
• They provide protecting nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine organisms including fish, crustaceans, and shellfish, many of which have important recreational and commercial value.
o For example, 75% of all tropical commercial fish species spend part of their lives in the mangrove environment because of the nursery grounds, food and shelter they can provide for them.
• They are part of the basic food chain resources for many marine species such as snapper, tarpon, oyster, and shrimp. Florida's important recreational and commercial fisheries will drastically decline without healthy mangrove forests.
• Many animals find shelter and/or protection within the roots or branches of mangroves.
o For example, mangrove branches are rookeries or nesting areas for several beautiful coastal birds including brown pelicans and roseate spoonbills.
• They serve as storm buffer zones by reducing wind and wave action in shallow shoreline areas to help shield coastlines from storm damage and wave action. This minimizes damage to property and losses of life from hurricanes and storms.
• They provide essential soil stability and prevent shoreline erosion. By acting as buffers catching materials washed downstream, they help stabilize land elevation by sediment accretion, thereby balancing sediment loss
• They can also be used as protection for other associated marine ecosystems such as sea grass beds and coral reefs which depend on healthy mangroves to filter sediments and provide nursery grounds for resident species.
• Traditional and indigenous coastal populations have found useful resources from mangroves and have been able to collect goods and resources for possibly thousands of years, including:
o Firewood
o Medicines
o fibers & dyes
o food
o charcoal
o construction materials
Mangrove forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world. We have already lost over half of the world's original mangrove forest area, estimated at 80 million acres. In 2007, less than 37 million acres of mangroves remained. That being said, we need to increase our efforts and provide more protection and defense against the natural and human damages that affect mangroves.
It is often quite hard to protect mangrove swamps from the damages caused by natural threats like hurricanes, root clogging from increased water turbidity, and damage from organisms and parasites. Since these devastations are naturally occurring and are not so much a result of human activity, it is a real challenge for humans to find a solution to these events.
On the other hand, there are several human activities that have a direct (negative) impact on the mangrove environment. Since these negative effects are human caused, there are ways in which we can act to prevent these disturbances in the mangrove ecosystem.
Some ways to prevent mangrove depletion/ damages are through:
• Increased knowledge on the matter through organizations
o Conservancy of Southwest florida http://www.conservancy.org/page.aspx?pid=694
o United Nations Environment Programme unep.org
o Environemental Protection Agency http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/mangrove.cfm
• Government/ organization acts or sanctions against damages
o Government/ organization acts to preserve mangroves
o State and local regulations have been enacted to protect Florida's mangrove forests. Local laws vary. Be sure to check with officials in your area prior to taking any action to determine if a permit is required. Further information on state regulations is available at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/mangroves/mangrove.htm.
• Reforestation of trees
In some areas, mangrove reforestation is also underway. Red mangroves are the most common choice for cultivation, used particularly in marine aquariums in a sump to reduce nitrates and other nutrients in the water. Mangroves also appear in home aquariums, and as ornamental plants
The objectives of the mangrove reforestation in the district were:
• to restore the mangrove ecosystem previously destroyed by herbicides;
• to stabilize the land and restrict erosion;
• to contribute to the improvement of the environment by reducing the pollution caused by industrial waste and smoke discharge;
• to create habitats for terrestrial animals and provide nursery breeding grounds for aquatic resources.
• to create employment and raise the income of foresters and fisherfolk through silviculture and aquaculture activities, so improving the standard of living of local inhabitants;
• to supply part of the demand for fuelwood and poles.
