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Sharing knowledge to protect our mangrove forests
Mangroves in much of S-E Asia threatened by aquaculture, agriculture, urban development
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Mangroves dying across a 1,000km length of coast in northern Australia in 2016. Experts believe a combination of extreme temperatures, drought and sea level changes was responsible, and likened the mangrove death to the large-scale bleaching of corals that is now seen more frequently in the region.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
Daniel Friess
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Mangrove forests are one of the most unique habitats we have in Singapore. They have evolved to survive in a dynamic and stressful coastal environment, where their plants and animals must tolerate changing waves, tides and salt.
But their position between the land and sea means they are a crucial buffer for coastal populations, protecting communities from storms, trapping pollution from rivers, providing a safe nursery habitat for fish and even cooling the urban climate.
