The root of the stress mangroves are under comes from humans demand for resources. Traditional cultivation of the mangroves was ecologically friendly because it was in moderation and natives were dependent on the mangroves for continual survival. Today, however, mangroves provide a different kind of resource. Mangroves are no longer used for mundane necessities. People are taking advantage of the richness of mangroves in a new way, economically which has led to overfishing, over felling of the trees, and rapid development. Mangroves across the world are disappearing at a rate between 1 and 2% a year.
The greatest hope for the mangroves is a declining rate of population. Fewer people means less of a demand for resources, which will positively effect mangroves both directly and indirectly.
Restoration projects can only do so much. Trees die faster than they are planted, and new mangrove forests do not have as great of a biomass diversity. Mangroves are under attack not only from humans directly eliminating them but also global climate changes, which cannot be directly targeted. However, when we lessen our demand for resources, we will put less stress on our environment. In turn, the effects of global warming will not be as drastic as they are today and the mangroves can begin to fully recover and begin to return to their natural state.
This theory leads to the conclusion that mangroves will continue as is for the next 13 years. Hopefully, by 2025, when the population rate has declined, reverse changes will occur.
Works Cited:
Alongi, Daniel M. "Present State and Future of the World's Mangrove Forests."Environmental Conservation 29.03 (2002): 311-49. Print.
Polidoro BA, Carpenter KE, Collins L, Duke NC, Ellison AM, et al. (2010) The Loss of Species: Mangrove Extinction Risk and Geographic Areas of Global Concern. PLoS ONE 5(4): e10095. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010095
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