Mangroves are a valuable ally in preventing and fighting climate change. By destroying them, we are not only taking away a defense but also contributing to the consequences of climate change. The impact of climate changes will continue to be felt by the mangroves. Sea-levels will rise, temperatures will increase, more carbon dioxide will be emitted into the air, storms will become more common, and perception patterns will change.
In the next 100 years, the world is expected to warm up between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius. Species’ home is partly dependent on temperature, so a change in temperature will allow some animals to live in new places. A change in temperature means a change in soil composition, more photosynthesis, biomass diversity, and general growth and reproduction. However, the accumulation of sediment, which the mangroves live on, will decrease. If the mangroves loose their “footing,” they are in danger of collapsing into the water. Furthermore, temperature change changes the salinity of the water, which is dangerous because if it gets too salty, it will kill the mangroves.
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| A dying mangrove forest |
Carbon dioxide levels are also expected to increase, and is likely to also change the rates of photosynthesis and salinity. One third of the carbon dioxide released ends up in the ocean, making the pH of the ocean increasingly acidic, which will attack the marine ecosystem.
Perception will become drastically uneven, switching between long periods of immense rainfall and drought, not leaving the mangroves with enough time to adapt. Furthermore, storms will become more intense, uprooting and defoliating the mangroves. These storms will also become more frequent, also not leaving the mangroves enough time to recover.
The mangroves are complete under attack from every direction, endangering their future. The mangroves are projected to diminish between 1 and 2% annually. The threats outlined in this blog post cannot be directly addressed and will only go away when global warming is brought to a halt.
Works Cited:
Eric L. Gilman, Joanna Ellison, Norman C. Duke, Colin Field, Threats to mangroves from climate change and adaptation options: A review, Aquatic Botany, Volume 89, Issue 2, August 2008, Pages 237-250, ISSN 0304-3770, 10.1016/j.aquabot.2007.12.009.
Van Lavieren, H., Spalding, M., Alongi, D., Kainuma, M., Clüsener-Godt, M., and Adeel, Z. 2012. Securing the Future of Mangroves. A Policy Brief. UNU-INWEH, UNESCO-MAB with ISME, ITTO, FAO, UNEP-WCMC and TNC. 53 pp.
Picture Citation:
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1145/650939365_1f80410d53_z.jpg
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