5 Benefits of Mangrove Forests for the Environment
Do you often hear about mangrove forests? This forest is the most frequently used as a tourist attraction in Indonesia. Because the appearance is very beautiful and different from tropical forests. In this forest, there are so many mangrove trees and they are in brackish waters. This forest thrives on the influence of the ebb and flow of seawater. This is the characteristic of mangrove forests.
There are several characteristics of mangrove forests. First, this forest thrives unaffected by the climate. Second, this forest is inundated by seawater, so it only exists on the edge of the beach. Third, there are many types of plants that thrive, such as pedada, lacing, nyirih and nipah, so it's not just mangroves. Then what are the benefits of mangrove forests? This forest is not only beautiful as a tourist attraction but also beneficial for the environment.
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| 5 Benefits of Mangrove Forests for the Environment |
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Benefits of Mangrove Forests for the Environment
There is one thing to note that mangrove forests are forests with plants that grow on the shoreline. This is what differentiates it from mangroves because in it there are so many types of plants like the characteristics mentioned above. Although mangroves are also included in it.
Mangrove forest itself has so many benefits and functions that protect the environment and for humans. What are they?
1. Protect against natural disasters
The location of the forest on the edge of the beach makes it able to prevent natural disasters such as abrasion and dampen large waves. This forest is also able to dampen waves such as tsunamis. With this forest, damage to agricultural crops in wet and dry land can be avoided. Because bodies or strong winds with salt loads can be prevented from damaging the plants.
2. Home to rare animals
There are so many wildlife and also rare habitats in this forest. Especially for animal species such as shorebirds. There are also long-tailed macaques and seawater animals such as crabs and shrimp. Even reptiles, namely crocodiles, also have homes in growing mangrove plants.
Dolphins and tigers are often found along rivers where mangrove plants grow. Without the mangrove forest, all these animals will lose their habitat and could become extinct.
3. Adding nutrients
Plants in this forest have a physical form that can precipitate mud. The result is that seawater is continuously maintained and soil erosion due to coastal abrasion can also be reduced. Plus the nutrients will increase which is good for forest growth and fertility.
The silt that settles comes from rice fields where the nutrient element is very high. Therefore all plants can thrive and many plant species thrive.
4. Depositing poison from the land
Mud that is carried from land to seawater does not only contain nutrients. There are also many toxins contained in it. For example, factory waste and garbage. The function of mangrove forests is to deposit all these toxins with mud. So that seawater can be clean which will make the marine ecosystem free from land toxins.
5. Maintain rainfall
It is very important to have high humidity and rainfall in the coastal area for fertility. The forest area functions to maintain a micro climate which is influenced by sunlight, wind, and topography. So that rainfall is maintained in the forest area and nearby.
There are so many benefits provided by mangrove forests for the environment, especially seawater. Therefore, maintaining it is an important human task.
Also read: Benefits of Reforestation for the Sustainability of Living Things