The Mangroves’ Biggest Sweat

Climate change over the next decades has been brought to attention as one the greatest threats to the Fijian mangrove ecosystem. In 1999, Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment for Fiji made several projections that I would like to highlight.

           

            1. Temperatures are expected to increase 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2025, and 1.6        degrees Celsius by 2100.

            2.  Sea level is projected to increase by 10.5 cm by 2025 and 49.9 cm by 2100.

           

            3. Precipitation changes of high magnitudes are predicted, but the direction of the   change is uncertain.

            Because the mangrove tree sits in a vulnerable coastline environment, these three threats are alarming. If the projection regarding sea level rise is in fact accurate, then it is most likely that the mangrove tree populations will begin to retreat inward toward the shore. Case studies in India and Bangladesh have shown that mangroves can handle changes in sea level for the most part. As long as the rates of sea level rise are not too dramatic, the mangrove trees should be able to make the adjustment inland.

            Another aspect of the survival of the mangrove ecosystem is dependent on how coral reefs adapt to increases in ocean temperatures. Projected temperature increases may lead to even more coral bleaching than has already occurred in Fiji. When large amount of coral reefs die off, mangrove trees also suffer because the reefs serve as a protective barrier to the coastal trees. Basically, mangroves depend on coral reefs for protection and biodiversity while the reefs depend on the mangroves for water filtration and for the breeding of tropical fish and organisms within the root systems.

            As we have seen in recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, climate change is becoming a reality that must be dealt with. At the moment, there is no legislation that directly addresses mangrove forest populations within Fiji, however we should expect the Fijian government to take action, along with outside organizations such as OISCA in coming years.

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Ellison, J.C. 2004. Vulnerability of Fiji’s mangroves and associated coral reefs to climate   change. Review for the World Wildlife Fund. Launceston, Australia:University of Tasmania.

McLeod, Elizabeth, and Rodney V. Salm. Managing mangroves for resilience to climate change. World Conservation Union (IUCN), 2006.

Agrawala, Shardul, et al. "Development and Climate Change in Fiji: Focus on coastal mangroves." Environment Directorate and Development Cooperation Directorate, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Paris (2003).

Photo Citations:

"Coral Reefs: Adaptation or Extinction? » Coral Bleaching." Coral Reefs: Adaptation or Extinction? » Coral Bleaching. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://sites.duke.edu/biology217_01_s2011_pv24/how-does-rising-temperature-affect-coral-communities/global-threats/coral-bleaching/>.

"BP Gulf Oil Spill." NewsTimes. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.newstimes.com/national/slideshow/BP-Gulf-oil-spill-618.php>.