Importance of Mangroves

Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 2.5.5

Importance of Mangrove Swamps

Mangrove swamps have economic and environmental importance. There are several issues currently affecting mangrove swamps.

Fishing is key - fish such as gray snapper, snook and red drum all feed in mangroves.
Places like Florida’s fishing industry rely on the abundance of fish, and the feeding opportunities and shelter that mangroves give.
Protect coastal buildings from being washed away.

Mangroves filter water with their roots. They reduce pollution levels so waters stay clean and clear. This makes waters suitable for tourist activity.
In LICs (low income countries) like Bangladesh, mangrove wood can be used as fuelwood, water-resistant to make housing, furniture and boats.
Black mangrove is used to make charcoal as a fuel. Mangroves are important for ecotourism. Kayaking and snorkelling around the mangroves is popular in Florida.

Threatened species live or feed and breed in mangrove swamps.
For example, Florida mangroves have the American alligator, green sea turtles and the manatee.
Mangroves filter water with their roots and reduce pollution levels.
Protect coastlines from erosion. This is especially important in tsunami, storms, and hurricanes. They stabilise the sediment so waves cannot wash the coastline away (erode).

Mangroves are being removed to develop coastal regions for tourism.
This is happening lots in LICs (low income countries).
The loss of mangroves exposes the coast to potential erosion.
This means that tropical storms have a greater effect and local livelihoods are at risk.

If mangrove swamps are removed, nursery grounds for fish are lost, which impacts fishing.
Water inundates (floods) land and damages farmland.
Mangrove Action Project (MAP) in the Sundarbans (India) has managed to put a mining project on hold to preserve (save) these mangroves.
MAP is introducing ecotourism projects in Kenya to educate tourists on the importance of mangrove swamps.

They are symbiotic (have a mutually beneficial relationship).
Mangroves improve water quality and provide stability - coral reefs need this to survive.
Mangroves remove pollutants.
Mangroves provide places for young fish to grow and stay safe - these fish then move to coral reefs for their adult life.
Coral reefs near mangroves have larger fish populations.
Barrier reefs and mangroves form a protective barrier.
This reduces erosion on the coast and protects it in storms.

Which of the following is NOT a reason that mangroves are economically important?
Why are mangroves environmentally important?
Which of the following statements are current issues about mangroves?