Effects of human activities to coastal ecosystem

Effects of human activities to coastal

ecosystemPresented by:

VILI JENN M. LEYCOMaster of Arts in General Science Education

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION Introduction and Purpose of the Module Characteristics, nature and behavior of mangrove in

adapting and surviving to its environment. Human impact to the development and

sustainability of mangroves; Importance of mangroves in coastal ecosystem; and Environmental laws and projects established by the

Philippine government in protecting mangroves throughout the archipelago.

As we relish the summit of our achievements nowadays also comes the exploitation and destruction of our mother Earth; starting from the improper elimination of waste at home to unwavering construction of industrial infrastructures and conversion of land masses. However, we, as a part of community can contribute to oppressing, or minimizing at least, our human impact to our environment.

HUMAN ACTIVITIES: Effects to Coastal Ecosystem (Mangroves)

INTRODUCTION

One issue that we are stressing as educators to youth is the environmental education that would build environmental awareness and develop long-lasting relationship between humans and its environment.

To achieve this, let’s have the basic background and information about coastal ecosystem focusing on the mangroves as our starting point in this goal. Then let’s start learning the policies made by the government in conserving our mangroves in the Philippines.


INTRODUCTION

Coastal EcosystemIn tropical regions, tidal flats are

dominated by trees and shrubs called mangroves, instead of by marsh grasses. A community of mangroves is called a mangal.


Background, Characteristics and Environment

Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow in shallow and muddy salt water or brackish waters, such as those along shorelines or in estuaries.

These specialized vertical branches, called pneumatophores, act as aerating organs.



There are almost hundreds of mangrove species all throughout the world. To name some, we have Red, Black White, and Button mangroves occur in tropical areas.

The most common and most important species, the red mangrove, is so named because of its reddish wood. Upon falling, they tend to plant themselves in the mud below the parent tree.



Activity 1I WILL SURVIVE!

Objective: To learn how mangroves adapt and survive to its coastal environment

Task: There are almost 70 species of mangroves around the world ranging from bushes to timbers. Wherever they live, they share one thing in common: they are brilliant adapters! Explain why they were able to grow and survive in different climatic conditions.



Coastal Resilience Biodiversity Timber and Plant Products Carbon Storage Fishery Resource Ecotourism


Importance of Mangrove Swamp Forest

Coastal ResilienceMangroves help stabilize shorelines, blunt the force of

storms and build land by trapping sediments and organic material.

It helped a lot during the Indonesian tsunami of 2004 in minimizing the damage and still currently where they stood before.



BiodiversityThe mesh of mangrove roots

dampens the flow of water, producing a quiet marine region that is well suited for young organisms. For this reason, several fish species lay their eggs in mangals.



BiodiversitySeveral important aquatic resources such as fishery

products like fishes, shells (clams and mollusks), crabs, shrimps, and other crustaceans thrive in mangrove ecosystem. (DENR, 1994)



Timber and Plant ProductsMangrove wood is mainly used as firewood or charcoal.

Mangrove wood is resistant to rot and insects, making it extremely valuable. Others are used to build fish corrals and fences.

Extractives derived from mangrove barks include tannin and dyes. Tannin also serves as an important constituent of ink, rust preventives and insecticides.



Timber and Plant ProductsOther minor products derived from mangroves are:

• cellulose xanthate,• oil,• medicine, • resin, • tea; and • livestock supplements



Carbon StorageStorage of carbon in mangroves takes place

through accumulation in living biomass and through burial in sediment deposits.

With living biomass typically ranging between 100-400 tonnes/ha, and significant quantities of organic matter being stored in the sediments.



Activity 2NOW YOU KNOW.. NOW YOU DRAW..

Objective: To manifest appreciation of importance of mangroves in coastal ecosystem.

Task: Express your appreciation of the importance of mangroves by constructing a mural showing all the cited values above and other possible inclusions that you would like to add.



Globally, half of all mangrove forests have been lost since the mid-twentieth century, with one-fifth since 1980 (Spalding et al. 2010). More than 35% of the world’s mangroves are already gone.

The figure is as high as 50% in countries such as India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, while in the Americas they are being cleared at a rate faster than that of tropical rainforest.


THREATS

Threats to mangrove forests and their habitats include:ClearingOverharvestingRiver changesOverfishingDestruction of coral reefsPollutionClimate Change


THREATS

ClearingMangrove forests have often been seen as unproductive

and smelly and are cut off for the following purposes:agricultural land, human settlements and infrastructure (such as

harbours), and industrial areasTourist sites, shrimp aquaculture, and salt farms


THREATS

OverharvestingMangrove trees are used for firewood, construction wood,

wood chip and pulp production, charcoal production, and animal fodder

As rampant clearing and harvesting of mangroves continues for decades, some parts of the world is no longer sustainable, threatening the future of the forests.


THREATS

River ChangeDams and irrigation reduce the amount of water reaching

mangrove forests, changing the salinity level of water in the forest.

OverfishingThe ecological balance of food chains and mangrove fish

communities can also be altered.


THREATS

Destruction of Coral ReefsCoral reefs provide the first barrier against currents and

strong waves. If destroyed, this can prevent seedlings from taking root and wash away nutrients essential for mangrove ecosystems.

PollutionFertilizers, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals carried by

river systems from sources upstream can kill animals living in mangrove forests.


THREATS

Oil pollution can smother mangrove roots and suffocate the trees.


THREATS

Climate Change

They are therefore extremely sensitive to current rising sea levels caused by global warming and climate change.


THREATS

According to the principles of environmental science, solutions have been around few decades ago, the only problem and concern is how to make it economically, politically and socially accepted.

Base from the Constitutional Laws and Policies structured and imposed, here are some which serves as the legal basis for the protection, conservation and improvement hereof.


ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND POLICIES

1. Republic Act No. 7586, s. 1992National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992

Established NIPAS encompassing ‘protected areas’.

Protected Areas - outstandingly remarkable areas and biologically important land sheltering rare and endangered species, biogeographic zones and related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine



1. Republic Act No. 7586, s. 1992 To support mangrove reforestation, The World Wide

Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines started the tree planting project.

Sibago, Donsol, Sorsogon- 10,000 mangrove seedlings last December 2011 to

enhance and protect the ecosystem that is shared by whale sharks and tiny organisms like plankton and fireflies.



Sibago, Donsol, Sorsogon

Activity 3FROM SMALL TO GIANT

Objective: To manifest appreciation of importance of mangroves in coastal ecosystem.

Task: Make an essay entitled “From Mangroves to Giant Whale Sharks” showing relevant interconnected relationships between (a) fireflies, mangroves and whale sharks and (b) environment, government and industry.


Importance of Mangrove Swamp ForestENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND POLICIES

Protection of Mangroves for Ecotourism

2. PP 2146 was approved in 1982 banned the wide range cutting of mangroves throughout the Philippines especially in the mangrove reserved areas.

3. DENR Administrative Order No. 34 It declares the requirement and guidelines for the

issuance for the Environmental Clearance Certificate for those individuals and private sectors who plan to put up fishponds in a local area.



4. Republic Act No. 8550The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998

It defines the coastal zones as areas that are within the landmark limit of one (1) km from shoreline at high tide including mangrove swamps, brackishwater ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches and other areas within the seaward limit of 200m isobaths



5. DENR Administrative Order No. 34 Issued for the definitions of guidelines for

Environmental Stewardship Agreement needed for the individuals or any private sectors who plan to put-up fishponds.

6. Presidential Decree No. 705 - The Forestry Act of 1975Section 43 - States that mangrove forests which protect the shoreline from the destructive force of the sea during high winds and typhoons shall be maintained and not alienated.



ReferencesCunningham, William P. and Mary Ann Cunningham.

2008. Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications. 4th ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

www.wwf.panda.org

Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

http://www.wwf.panda.org/

Effects of human activities to coastal ecosystem

Education

Transcript of Effects of human activities to coastal ecosystem