Advice Mangroves Protect Property

Did you know mangrove wetlands protect coastal homes and communities?

Once dismissed as “swamp shrubs,” their tangle of prop roots act as a living seawall against strong wind and storm surge. In fact, scientists say mangrove protection during extreme weather is unmatched by any man-made barrier to-date.

Besides that, mangrove peat absorbs water during heavy rains and storm surge, reducing the chances of coastal flooding and property damage. Mangrove “forests” remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it within the plants. They improve water quality.

They are critical to our marine ecosystem, acting as aquatic nurseries by providing a habitat for coral reef fish, including threatened and endangered species. They protect grouper, conch, crab and crawfish, to name a few.

Can you imagine a Bahamas without these delicacies?

We are told an astonishing 70% percent of marine life globally depends on mangrove habitats. Yet de- spite all this, mangrove forests are being exploited and destroyed here in the Bahamas and around the world.

Revenue Earner

It is estimated that wetlands produce over $90 million in revenue annually.

Think about it. Mangrove forests support our tourism, diving, and commercial and recreational fishing industries. As an example, flats (bonefish) fishing is a multi-million-dollar business in the Bahamas.

Anglers spend more than the average stopover visitor. They hire guides and buy lodging, meals, equipment, supplies, transportation, entertainment and so on. Yet habitat loss and degradation from mangrove destruction is a growing concern to this important industry.

What Can We Do?

Residents can help protect their homes and communities from mangrove destruction in several ways, including:

Taking part in mangrove clean-ups:

If you live in an area that hosts mangroves or even further afield, there may be an opportunity to take part in a community clean-up or to spearhead one yourself.

Mangroves smothered in plastic will become stressed and even die. So, it’s important to remove trash from these amazing systems. Plastic is overwhelming the oceans and a lot of it ends up in these mangroves. A lot of plastic is unsecured and is swept into mangrove forests by wind and tide. Don’t litter and encourage others not to litter, as well.

Help Plant Mangroves:

Not all planted mangroves survive. So, it’s important to work under the guidance of experts who understand the challenges and with the appropriate permission.

To quote the Bahamas National Trust, “When we restore our wetlands, this leads to increased biodiversity, improved water supply, enhanced protection against floods and storms, more local and sustainable livelihoods, increased tourism and recreation and increased carbon storage, among many other benefits.”