What is a mangrove?

The term 'mangrove', is used in the broad sense either to refer to the highly adapted plants
found in tropical intertidal forest communities or the ecosystem itself. The term
'mangrove' may have been derived from a combination of the Malay word 'manggi-
manggi', for a type of mangrove tree (Avicennia) and the Arabic 'el gurm', for the same,
as 'mang-gurm'. As a word, it can be used to refer to a species, plant, forest or
community!
A mangrove community
Nature, at the highest level of organisation, consists of the ecosphere which includes all
living things (biosphere) together with non-living parts (atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere). The next level is the biome which consists of groups of similar ecosystems
over large geographic areas. Next is the ecosystem, which is a self-regulating community
of organisms and their non-living environment.
The community, consists of interacting populations (single-species groups) of all the
different plants and animals in the area, which in this case, is the mangrove. Thus
essentially, the mangrove community is the biotic part of this ecosystem, which this book
introduces.
Types of tropical rain forest
The term 'tropical rain forest' is used to describe forests of the ever-wet tropics or beyond,
where there is, at most, minimal seasonal water shortage. These can be divided into dry-
land and wetland rain forests. The first includes tropical lowland evergreen rain forest,
which was the main type of forest covering Singapore, parts of which still exist in Bukit
Timah Nature Reserve.
This also includes beach vegetation, which still
exists along Singapore's east coast, Labrador Beach
in the south, and the southern islands. Wetland rain
forests include mangrove, brackish-water,
freshwater and peat swamp forests. Of all these,
only mangrove forests are under the direct influence
of seawater.
Types of coastal habitats
The geological and environmental conditions of the
shoreline result in different habitats. Exposure to
currents and waves of the open sea results in the
formation of rocky shore and sandy beaches.
Sheltered shores, on the other hand, allow sediment
from rivers and the sea to settle, and eventually
become mangrove forests.
Lim Chu Kang mangrove
a
at high tide

Mainland Singapore has many beaches (including artificial ones), a few mangrove
patches, and one rocky shore (Labrador Beach) - all of these and more, also occur
naturally on our offshore islands, and each ecosystem is occupied by a different and
characteristic community.
INTRODUCTION
Mangrove forests are the only forests situated at the sea-land interface in tropical and
subtropical latitudes. They are often called as marine tidal forests', coastal woodlands'
or oceanic rainforests'. The Mangrove forest ecosystem supports biologically diverse
groups of organisms. This is due to diversified habitats such as core forests, litter forest
floors, mudflats, adjacent coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems as well as the contiguous
water bodies that consist of the rivers, bays, inter tidal creeks, channels and backwaters.
The mangroves can exist under wide ranges of salinities, tidal amplitudes, winds, and
temperatures, even in muddy and anaerobic soil conditions. Over a long period of time
the mangroves and their components have been studied extensively but still remain
poorly understood.
Mangroves possess unique characteristics. They are one of the world's most productive
vegetation communities with capacity for high rate of primary productivity (~ 24 tons
/hectare / year) and accumulation of atmospheric CO
2
(0.055 g C/cm
2
soil). Standing crop
in the mangrove forest is greater than any other aquatic systems in the world. No other
groups of plants have high adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. They
significantly contribute to oceanic carbon (25 billion kg of carbon to ocean per year in
northern Brazil). The mangroves are live sea walls, more effective than concrete wall
structures to keep away the seawater.
Mangroves are of valuable ecological and economic resources, securing life and
providing livelihood to the coastal people. The mangroves offer coastal protection against
erosion, waves, currents and storms as well natural calamities. They serve as breeding
sites and nursery grounds for crabs, prawns, mollusks, other shellfishes, finfishes, birds,
reptiles and mammals. They are source of wood, poles, firewood, charcoal, fodder,
medicines, honey and other forest products. They are accumulation sites of sediment,
carbon, nutrients and pollutants and playing a central role in biogeochemical cycles in the
coastal environment. Mangroves protect other marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and
seagrass. Economic value of mangroves is more than US$ 10,000 /ha/yr, which is greater
than that of coral reefs, continental shelves and opens sea. Endowed with arching roots,
breathing roots, salt-vomiting leaves, mud-dancing fishes, and breath-taking beauty, the
mangroves are sites of education, recreation and ecotourism.
About 90% of the global mangroves are growing in developing countries and they are
under the condition of critically endangered and nearing extinction in 26 countries. The
rate of mangrove is 1-2 % per year which is greater than the declines of coral reefs and
tropical rain forests. The mangroves continue to disappear globally due to growing
pressure of urban and industrial developments along the coast, combined with climate
change and sea level rise. The world mangrove experts are of the opinion that the long
term survival of mangroves is at great risk due to fragmentation of the habitats and that
the services offered by the mangroves may likely to be lost totally within 100 years. In
this context, better understanding of mangrove forest ecosystems by the people world
over will ensure increased care for mangroves. Bearing this in mind, the present online
course of mangroves is designed for their better understanding among the people around
the world.
The Importance of mangroves
To many people mangroves are a hot, humid and dangerous place teeming with insects
and dangerous creatures. They are often referred to as swamps. Actually mangroves are
one of the most intriguing and interesting habitats one can visit. Where can you see a fish
walk on land, come on one of our free guided walks and youll see the mudskipper
doing just that! Its the only place where the nationally endangered mud lobster
(thalassina anomala) chooses to build its home.
In 1819 it is estimated that about 13% of Singapore was covered in mangroves, today we
only have about half percent. Luckily today the true value of mangroves is being
discovered both by scientist and nature lovers.
Mangroves are the first line indicators on the well being of our coastlines, a thriving
community of mangroves usually indicated good water quality. They slow down soil
erosion and some species of mangroves actually help in reclaiming land with their
complex root systems. Their prop roots offer protection to many species of insects and
fish especially two species of commercially important fish, the Sea Bass and Mangrove
Jack Its also home to unusual fish like the Archer fish that captures its prey by spitting
water at it.
Even the vegetation is different, as plants and trees that grow there can tolerate a very
high level of salt water. Many get rid of the high salt content by shedding their leaves
Here youll also find a versatile palm called nipah (nypa Fruticans) Thats used to make
many things including the Attar Chee fruit that goes into cold desserts
The matured leaves are made into roofing material hence the term Attap House, they
young salt leaves are dried and used by kampong folks as cigarette wrappers. The sap
from the inflorescence stalk can be used boiled down to make brown rock sugar (Gula
Melaka) it is already considered a rare species in Singapore.
The rich insect and bug life in the mangroves attract a great number of aquatic and other
birds to hunt and nest there. On one of out monthly free walks youll see kingfishers,
herons, egrets and other birds pouched and looking out for a meal
Experts also now say that if the mangroves had not been cut down (to make way for sea
front bungalows) there would have been many less causalities during the last tsunami.
This would be a good opportunity for lending organisations to make mangrove planting a
requirement before rebuilding loans can be approved The Green Volunteers organize free
monthly guided nature walks and mangrove clean-up at Pasir Ris park



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Importance of Mangroves
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