MANGROVE FORESTS & THEIR ROLE IN COASTAL ECOLOGY.
Ques: Explain the geographical factor responsible for
growth of Mangrove forests in India and discuss its role in coastal
ecology (200 words)
ANSWER:
Mangroves are "nature's miracle" growing in conditions normally hostile for plant life.These unique forests have an extremely fragile ecosystem. Thereby an insight into the geographical factors responsible for its growth would facilitate better understanding , management and conservation.
Mangrove vegetation consists of HALOPHYTES specially adapted to survive in saline, waterlogged conditions. These special forests are found in the SUNDERBANS of West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the deltaic regions of Mahanadi,Krishna and Kaveri due to favourable conditions.
Sheltered coasts and highly dissected streams in the deltaic regions fulfil the requirement for relatively calm waters. These areas are flooded with water either permanently or at high tide. The soil here is typically sandy,swampy and SALINE which can support only halophytic vegetation.Moreover the plant PHYSIOLOGY is tuned to thrive in these tropical regions with high precipitation , high relative humidity and almost no fluctuation in temperature throughout the year.
Mangroves are equivalent to tropical rain forests and coral reefs as natural productive systems.The have a very high BIODIVERSITY. A wide variety of plants are found,important among them are SUNDARI,Rhizophora, screw pine etc. They are a natural habitat to various birds,insects,reptiles,fish and animals.
The dense network of roots act as an efficient NUTRIENT TRAP and prevent the seaward flow of nutrients and silt.They act as a shield against the erosive action of sea. Therefore they help in soil conservation and stabilize the coast line. The presence of these dense coastal forests also reduce the intensity and damage caused by CYCLONIC STORMS. Further they prevent the inland invasion by sea water and consequent soil salinization. Thus we can see that they play an important role in the coastal ecology.
Fuel-wood and timber extraction,pollution , tourism, marine farming,construction activities etc in the name of development are strangling our mangroves to death. Further the threat of SUBMERGENCE by sea-level changes due to GLOBAL WARMING looms large over these forests. It is time we stop taking our forests for granted and start caring for this NATURAL HERITAGE to bequeath it to coming generations in its beautiful natural state.
ANSWER:
Mangroves are "nature's miracle" growing in conditions normally hostile for plant life.These unique forests have an extremely fragile ecosystem. Thereby an insight into the geographical factors responsible for its growth would facilitate better understanding , management and conservation.
Mangrove vegetation consists of HALOPHYTES specially adapted to survive in saline, waterlogged conditions. These special forests are found in the SUNDERBANS of West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the deltaic regions of Mahanadi,Krishna and Kaveri due to favourable conditions.
Sheltered coasts and highly dissected streams in the deltaic regions fulfil the requirement for relatively calm waters. These areas are flooded with water either permanently or at high tide. The soil here is typically sandy,swampy and SALINE which can support only halophytic vegetation.Moreover the plant PHYSIOLOGY is tuned to thrive in these tropical regions with high precipitation , high relative humidity and almost no fluctuation in temperature throughout the year.
Mangroves are equivalent to tropical rain forests and coral reefs as natural productive systems.The have a very high BIODIVERSITY. A wide variety of plants are found,important among them are SUNDARI,Rhizophora, screw pine etc. They are a natural habitat to various birds,insects,reptiles,fish and animals.
The dense network of roots act as an efficient NUTRIENT TRAP and prevent the seaward flow of nutrients and silt.They act as a shield against the erosive action of sea. Therefore they help in soil conservation and stabilize the coast line. The presence of these dense coastal forests also reduce the intensity and damage caused by CYCLONIC STORMS. Further they prevent the inland invasion by sea water and consequent soil salinization. Thus we can see that they play an important role in the coastal ecology.
Fuel-wood and timber extraction,pollution , tourism, marine farming,construction activities etc in the name of development are strangling our mangroves to death. Further the threat of SUBMERGENCE by sea-level changes due to GLOBAL WARMING looms large over these forests. It is time we stop taking our forests for granted and start caring for this NATURAL HERITAGE to bequeath it to coming generations in its beautiful natural state.
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