An Old Tree with New Roots

Most folks  would agree that with age, comes wisdom. Likewise in nature, a long history of ecological success and adaptations leads an organism to prosper and serve a significant function in its environment. Our beloved mangrove tree is believed to have made its first appearances on this planet nearly 80 million years ago. To put things into perspective, the homo-sapien comes to the table with only around 2,000 years of experience as a species.

Upon the breakup of Pangaea, the first continent of the planet, nearly 60 million years ago, coastlines began to form and create suitable environment for the development of mangrove species. Scientists still debate whether the mangroves originated in the Malaysian Peninsula, or Northern Australia. Regardless, these trees reached the Fijian islands through ocean currents many years ago. Mangroves grow strictly between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer in shallow coastal waters protect by vast outer reefs.

Ancient peoples shared a mutual relationship of respect with the mangrove trees, similarly to modern people such as the native Fijians. The Fijian demographic is split between indigenous Fijians and people of Indian descent, brought over by the British for labor during the colonial period. According to ancient Indian war legend, a village with inferior soldiers tricked their large enemy counterparts by lighting the roots of the mangrove tree on fire. This creative idea tricked the superior army into believing that a giant flotilla was charging toward them, resulting in an end of the conflict. This example illustrates a creative use of the trees by their human counterparts.

                                              (Photo by Francis Maglia)

The mangrove tree has played a key role in the spread and conservation of biodiversity for many years, much before any human could fathom. I believe that just as we show our grandparents and elderly folk respect, the same must apply to our mangrove trees. If we seriously put effort into cutting back on mangrove ecosystem destruction, I know that our wise tree grandparents will surely guarantee prosperity and natural services for years to come.

By: Max McGee

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Kathiresan, K. "3. Mangrove Ecosystems 3.1. Distribution of Mangroves."

"Delightful Departures from the Everyday Grind." : July 2010. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://delightfuldepartures.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html>.

"Photo : Mangrove in Labasa, Fiji." AllTravels.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.alltravels.com/fiji/all-regions/labasa/photos/current-photo-65466810>.