Why Mangrove Swamps Are Important

Mangroves provide valuable ecosystem services by protecting the coastline and providing habitats for marine wildlife. They are natural storm barriers; their strong, densely intertwined roots absorb the strength of tidal waves brought about by intense storm surges. They protect the shoreline from erosion by stabilizing the sand. They are also nursery magnets for fish and shellfish, providing support for a flourishing food web. They also provide a sustainable source of livelihood and food security for nearby shoreline communities.

But more than that, mangroves could be part of the solution to climate change. There is research to suggest that mangrove trees may be able to help repopulate bleached corals in nearby reefs. Coral bleaching is closely linked with rising temperatures in the ocean; as the water heats up, the high temperature causes corals to expel the photosynthetic algae that live within them and help feed them. As it happens, the dense canopy of a mangrove forest protects the waters around them from heating up, which makes it an ideal temporary shelter for baby corals to flourish, away from warm waters.

There is also evidence to suggest that mangroves may be able to offset ocean acidification. When mangrove roots break down the sediment, the root systems produce an outflow of alkalinity. Whether or not this is a viable way to mitigate ocean acidification, it’s difficult to be sure since there are no widespread field studies at the moment, but the potential is certainly there.

All over the world, mangroves are being cut down not only to give way to resorts out to make a quick buck but also to make way for fish pens managed by corporations.

— Derek Dodds, Wave Tribe Founder

Now you might wonder why I’m suddenly writing about mangroves? Other than it’s timely-given the fact that we’ve already crossed the carbon threshold and we’re all looking for alternatives on how to reboot it as it were- it’s also because I want to draw your attention to this particular colony of mangrove trees flourishing here along the California border.

I’m talking about the desert mangroves in Baja, California, bros.

Unlike their tropical cousins, the mangroves here are dense and shorter because this is how they survive in the region’s arid environment. But that’s not the only difference. Apparently, they are able to store five times more carbon than their tropical counterparts.

That mangroves are excellent carbon sinks is known to science. But the fact that these Baja California natives are doing even more excellent work than the rest of their species highlights how undeserving mangroves are of their low standing in the totem pole of ecological niches to protect and preserve.

Mangrove swamps are important and they face greater threats than their forest counterparts. In Baja, this threat comes in the form of development aggression. Resort developers are salivating at the opportunity to build mega-resort structures at the expense of the environment.

I’ve seen this before. In fact, it’s even a legitimate critique at the surfing industry in general. With surfing tourism, comes benefits for everyone but it also carries its own costs. Gentrification can wreak havoc not just on the local culture but also on the environment. Just look at what happened to Bali.

That’s why as responsible surfers we need to stand our ground against threats like these. All over the world, mangroves are being cut down not only to give way to resorts out to make a quick buck but also to make way for fish pens managed by corporations. They are also being threatened by plastic pollution because their roots easily capture the plastic that comes from landfills via waterways. Some people even cut them down just so they can have a view of the ocean. Can you imagine the nerve!

July 26 being the International Mangrove Day, I urge you to take positive action to help save the mangroves. Whether it is by donating to projects that support mangrove reforestation or by organizing coastal clean-ups along your local mangrove spots, let’s do our share to protect these trees.

I always say that every bit of action helps. Your initiative, even if it’s just sharing this post to educate others about mangroves, goes a long way to highlighting this often overlooked issue of mangrove deforestation. It’s time to make our actions count.