The Mangrove Forest

Credits

© 2021

Authors

Delmis del C. Alicea Segarra, EdD, Jorge Casillas Maldonado, MS

Co-Authors

Ivonne Bejarano Rodríguez, PhD, Diana M. Beltrán Rodríguez, MS, Brenda M. Soler Figueroa, MS

Science Edi ng

Yasmín Detrés Cardona, PhD, Ariel E. Lugo, PhD, Lesbia L. Montero Acevedo, BS

Science Advisor

Juan G. González Lagoa, PhD

Editng

Ruperto Chaparro Serrano, MA, Delmis del C. Alicea Segarra, EdD, Cristina D. Olán Martínez, MA

Readers

Álida Ortíz Sotomayor, PhD, María M. Montalvo Ortega, EdD, Neysa Rosario García, MA

Brenda L. Estévez Moreno, BS

Contributors

Carlos J. Carrero Morales, MPA, Carmen Zayas Santiago, MS

English Translation and Editing

Wilmarie Cruz Franceschi, MA

Graphic Design and Layout

Delmis del C. Alicea Segarra, EdD, Oliver Bencosme Palmer, BA

Photography

Oliver Bencosme Palmer, BA, Ruperto Chaparro Serrano, MA, Guillermo Damiani Ríos, Efraín Figueroa Ramírez, BS, Juan G. González Lagoa, PhD , Mydalis M. Lugo Marrero, MA, Julia S. Mignucci Sánchez, PhD, Janne e Ramos García, BS

Footage for the “El manglar” video

Efraín Figueroa Ramírez, BS, Rául Omar Or z Arroyo, MAG

Theme guide

Alessandra Otero Ramos, MIS

Printing

Raúl Omar Ortiz Arroyo, MAG, Delmis del C. Alicea Segarra, EdD

Publica on number UPRSG-E-307

ISBN: 978-1-881719-88-5

The University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program understands the need to have an educational tool to aid instructors during the teaching-learning process regarding the marine and coastal resources of the Puerto Rican archipelago. With this goal in mind, we have taken it upon ourselves to produce this Educational Guide about mangrove forests which includes a CD, this student handbook, a story book and an activity book. We hope this manual will prove useful when teaching about our marine and coastal resources and likewise foster in our young people a deeper appreciation for this ecosystem and motivate them to promote its conservation and protection.

An ecosystem is a community of organisms which interact amongst themselves and with their environment, including non-living elements. Each one of these ecosystem’s components influences the others, and all are vitally important for the preservation of their way of life. Puerto Rico has a territorial expanse of 3,587 square miles (including its more than one hundred islands and cays), and within this area, one may find eight main ecosystems: tropical rainforest, subtropical dry forest, sand beaches, rocky shores, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves, and lagoons.

Out of the aforementioned ecosystems, five are marine ecosystems, and we can find them across the island’s 700 miles of shoreline. With the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the difference in distribution in these ecosystems is very notable. This can be observed in the variable presence of mangroves throughout Puerto Rico’s shores. The diversity showcased by the marine ecosystems culminates in an interesting and enriching educational adventure.

For decades, Puerto Rico has attributed li le ecologic and economic value to mangroves, forests composed of trees especially adapted to thrive in coastal areas, because of their appearance and occasional odor of decaying organic mater smell. This perception could not be more mistaken – mangroves are critically important for the healthy development of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Without mangroves, the seagrass meadows and coral reef ecosystems would not exist as we know them. The biological diversity and the health of these two ecosystems directly depend on the mangrove’s health. Additionally, mangrove forests protects our coasts from erosion, strong winds and storm surges, and serve as habitat for many species during their juvenile life stage. Any person who has visited a mangrove forest, whether walking a trail, kayaking, or visiting the bioluminescent bays, knows that this is a priceless experience. These are just a few reasons why our children should become familiar with this valuable ecosystem.

Once we begin to comprehend how important these resources are, we can strive to use them in a wise manner. As Puerto Ricans, we need to have a sense of stewardship towards out marine ecosystems. For this to happen, we need to know and understand the most common ecosystems in our archipelago, such as the mangroves. It is precisely this limited knowledge regarding the function and importance of our ecosystems which leads to uncontrolled and poorly planned development in these areas. By integrating concepts about our coastal ecosystems into school curricula, students will gain awareness and appreciation for the benefits of caring for mangroves, conserving them and protect them for future generations. We will also rediscover our true geographical identity as Caribbean islanders.