Threats To Mangroves
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Transcript of Threats To Mangroves
Threats to Mangroves
A2 Geography
Learning Objectives
• Understand the nature and extent of mangrove loss
• What are the drivers of change• Understand the problems associated with
Human activity within Mangroves, including exploitation
• Appreciate the consequences of climate change on Mangrove forests
Mangrove Loss
• Over 50% of the world’s original mangroves have now been lost
• A size similar to 13 UK’s• By 2007 less 15 million left hectares left• Currently the rate of loss is 1% p.a. (Roughly
the size of London)
Rates of Loss
• Thailand has lost over half of its mangroves since 1961
• The Philippines 40% were lost to aquaculture between 1918 and 1988
• By 1993 123,000 hectares were left (70% loss in 70yrs)
• Ecuador – Mangrove loss is estimated to range between 20% to 50% of the 362,000 hectares of mangrove forested coast.
Why?
• Think in groups why this might happen and write them down on the post it notes provided
• Think why do we deem this a palatable thing to do.
• Asia has lost 50% due to aquaculture (38% Shrimp. 14% fish) 25% due to deforestation. 11% to upstream freshwater diversion.
• Latin America – Mainly due to the expansion of agriculture and cattle rearing, as well as the cutting of fuelwood and building materials as well as the establishment of a shrimping industry.
Drivers of Change
• What are the main threats to biodiversity:• Habitat change• Climate change• Invasive species• Over-exploitation• Pollution
Coastal Wetlands
Habitat change
Climate change
Invasive Species
Over-Exploitation
Pollution (N, P)
SHRIMP FARMING IN THAILAND Case Study (LEDC)
Shrimping• Been done in Thailand for over 60
years• Traditional method now known as
‘Extensive production’ Shrimp (Known as ‘fry’) are trapped in salt beds and padi-fields around estuaries and harvested when mature.
• Between 1970 -1990 the coastal shrimp industry expanded massively
• With help from the govt the shrimping industry became more intensive
Why
• To help meet global demand• Exported to USA (500,000 tonnes a year – 2003)• Japan = 250,000 tonnes• France, Spain, UK and Italy = 500,000 tonnes• Since 1990’s amount consumed in Thailand has
also increased – rising incomes due to improved economic conditions
• Increase in tourist industry.
Production
Land Conversion
Shrimp farming area and Mangrove area
Impacts of the Industry
• What are the positive impacts of the industry?
• Shrimp farming has had positive impacts such as increased wealth leading to improved infrastructure and reduction in migration to Bangkok many are negative
Negatives
• Effluent from shrimp farms has to be removed before next crop cycle begins
• It is full of decaying food, shells and chemicals (Antibiotics)
• If chemicals get discharged into mangroves this can have a harmful effect on biodiversity
• Conflicts arise due to this discharge• Constant threat of disease and infection• Rice fields and channels suffer from salinisation• Depletion of biodiversity in shrimp farms and
surround areas• Loss of mangrove forest or fertile land • Degradation of the soil due to salinisation • Deterioration of water quality
Future?
• Marine shrimp culture along the coast is one of the main economic activities in the country
• It provides employment and earns national income• Without management the environment maybe
damaged beyond repair• Governments should promote the development of
marine shrimp culture along the coast but before implementation, a development plan should be formulated and good management practices should be specified
Department of Fisheries, Bangkok advice on Shrimp farming
• A land use plan should be formulated which does not allow the utilisation of mangrove for shrimp culture. The most suitable area for shrimp farming is rice fields or unused low land beyond the mangrove. The level of such land will be not over 1–2 m above the high tide level.
• To provide infrastructure which supports the shrimp culture industry such as drainage canals, roads, electricity and other necessary services.
• Control and enforcement of farm practices will be done by the official agency.• To provide education on farm and water management to farm owners and farm
operators before they start farming.• Monitoring of sea water quality along the coast will be routinely conducted and
information on water quality transferred to the farmers.• Shrimp pond wastes will not be discharged directly into natural water ways. The
waste treatment pond will be attached to the farm system and waste must be treated before discharge.
• Research on farm management, disease and parasite problems must be conducted and findings regularly transferred to the farmers
CLIMATE CHANGEThreats to Mangroves
Links to AS
• I in 10 people live less than 10m above sea level near the coast
• Asia contains 75% of these people• Global warming leads to:• Increased Arctic ice cap melt• Greenpeace predict sea levels to rise between
15 – 95cm this century• This could cause some shorelines to retreat by
upto 200m
Carbon Sequestration
• Mangroves take up about 1.5million tonnes/hectare/year
• Current removal means we are losing 220,000 tonnes of sequestration potential
• High levels of carbon in the soils is dug up and also released
• Removal of mangroves means carbon release is often 50 times higher than rate of sequestration
• By converting 2% of mangroves it effectively means all advantages of sequestration are lost
Mangrove time bomb
Mangrove Destruction
Loss of Carbon
Sequestration
Increase in Greenhouse
gases
Increased Global
warming
Rising Sea Levels
Mangrove Benefits
• Healthy mangroves can act as a buffer zone between the coastal fringes and inland areas
• Increases are expected in hurricanes and cyclones and the mangrove can help protect land
• Protect against coastal erosion
However
• Rising seas levels will swamp the forests nullifying their benefit
• Mangroves need a buffer zone themselves to develop and re-establish above the rising low tide – this too maybe lost
Over- Harvesting
• Mangrove trees serve many purposes• Fuelwood• Construction material• Wood Chip and pulp production• Charcoal• Animal fodder• Harvesting has been going on for centuries but
it is no longer sustainable
Over Exploitation of Marine Life
• Unregulated fishing is depleting fish stocks• As stocks of one become uneconomic to
exploit people are simply turning to another• Decline in biodiversity, loss of income and jobs• Over fishing alters the food chain and webs
and mangroves communities can be altered as a result
Other Threats
• Tourism
Removal for golf courses
Building of new cruise ship ports
Marinas
Hotels, apartments and restaurants
• Oil Exploration
Deforestation
Changes in Soil pH
Discharge of solids and liquid waste
Other Threats
• Domestic and Industrial waste• Waste from aquaculture• Exploration of minerals
Learning Objectives
Understand the nature and extent of mangrove loss
What are the drivers of changeUnderstand the problems associated with
Human activity within Mangroves, including exploitation
Appreciate the consequences of climate change on Mangrove forests
Homework
• Write a 500 word report• Within which you must report
on the threats to biodiversity in mangroves
• How far these are likely to change
• Whether these threats reflect people’s attitudes to mangroves and biodiversity
Links
• Shrimp Culture in Thailand • The Rise and Fall of the Blue Revolution• The Impact of International fish trade on Food
security in Thailand• Manu Potaros
, Department of Fisheries, Bangkok