What benefits does Mangroves offer to us?

Like the tropical rainforest, mangroves also offer many advantages to man and animals. In Singapore, because mangroves have shrunk in area so considerably, its very to difficult to see the advantages the mangroves offered. However we can still see the benefits mangroves offer to us in other parts of the world. 


Firstly in some parts of the world, mangroves are being used as fuelwood or charcoal. Mangroves may be used directly or after the conversion into charcoal. Rhizophora species wood have a high calorific value meaning that they produce more heat for the same weight, and are thus the major species exploited. Charcoal manufacture still occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. For examples, managed forests are found in the Matang District and Johor River Forest Reserve in Peninsular Malaysia.

Mangrove Firewoods

Secondly mangroves are buffer zones for coastal settlements against destructive strong waves. They can dissipate or break the initial forces of the incoming waves and weaken the wave energy significantly. In this way, the coastal settlements lying behind the wall of the mangroves are protected against severe destruction and flooding. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis, mangrove forest protected some coastal villages in southern India. These villages are saved from mass destruction of properties and the severe loss of lives, unlike other coastal villages that were not fronted by the mangroves forests. 

Mangroves as buffer zone

Besides acting as buffer zones for coastal settlements, mangroves forest are able to protect the surrounding waters against pollution. The roots of the mangroves trees trap waste materials that have either been transported from rivers upstream or have been washed ashore. It provides a filtering effect by reducing the amount of pollutants flowing into the large water bodies. In addition, the soil in the mangroves forests contains bacteria that can break down the biodegradable wastes and convert them into nutrients for the mangrove forests. 

Rubbish being trapped by mangroves 

In addition, mangroves produces food for human consumption. For example the leaves of the Nipah Plams are used as thatch for 'attap' huts, the immature seed is harvested as a jellylike sweetmeat called 'attap-chee' and is a favourite in local desserts. The sap is extracted from the inflorescence and when fermented, is called 'toddy', a local alcholic drink. Commercial honey is also extracted from some mangrove areas as many of the flowers are animal-pollinated and have nectar as a reward.

Fruit of the Nipah Palm

Lastly mangroves ecosystem acts as a nursery for marine fish, shellfish and shrimps. In some places, 50-75% of commercially-caught fish, prawns and crabs spend some time in the mangroves or depend on food chains that begin in the mangroves.

Giant Mudskipper

In conclusion, the mangrove forest provides many advantages us. However, mangroves nowadays are being cleared for land or human use. The government should manage the use of mangroves before its too late.