Mangroves play a key role in coastal wetlands and estuaries. They provide a wide range of environmental and social benefits that are crucial for both the health of our planet and the wellbeing of our communities.

 

Here are six ways in which mangroves benefit our environment and local landscapes:

1. Carbon sequestration: Mangroves are incredibly efficient at capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making them an important natural solution for mitigating climate change. According to some estimates, mangroves can store up to four times more carbon per hectare than most other tropical forests.

 

2. Biodiversity: Mangroves are a unique ecosystem that supports a wide range of plant and animal species. They provide essential habitat for a variety of fish, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates, including many that are endangered or threatened. 

 

3. Fisheries: Mangrove forests provide important nursery grounds for many fish and crustaceans. These habitats are essential for the survival and growth of juvenile fish, which helps to support sustainable fisheries and food security for our communities.

 

4. Coastal/riverbank erosion protection and flood resilience: Mangroves act as a natural barrier against soil erosion (both on coastlines and riverbanks) and floods. Their dense network of roots helps to stabilise coastlines and riverbanks and prevents soil erosion, while their dense vegetation can absorb the impact of waves and reduce the intensity of floods. During high tides and floods, mangroves act as a natural buffer, reducing the impact of flooding on nearby communities and infrastructure. Mangroves also help to trap sediment and organic matter, which can help to raise the level of the surrounding land over time and further enhance flood resilience. They provide a natural way of managing flood water by absorbing and storing it during heavy rainfall events, reducing the likelihood of flash flooding downstream and helping to recharge groundwater supplies. 

 

5. Water filtration: Mangroves are excellent at filtering pollutants from the water, including heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins. As the water flows through the mangrove ecosystem, the roots and vegetation help to trap and break down these pollutants, which improves water quality downstream.

 

6. Recreation, tourism, and cultural value: Mangroves hold significant cultural value for First Nations communities across Australia. For thousands of years, these coastal wetlands have provided food, shelter, and materials for traditional practices. Mangroves are used in traditional medicine, and the leaves, bark, and wood are used for building canoes, shelters, and tools. They are also popular destinations for nature-based tourism, providing opportunities for activities such as kayaking, bird watching, and fishing. 

 

The benefits of mangroves are undeniable. Protecting and restoring these important ecosystems is essential for the health and resilience of our region’s environment and local communities.

 

Here at Healthy Land & Water, we have many projects that show mangroves as superheroes of ecosystems. Check out one of our newest projects that features mangrove revegetation as a nature-based solution to build flood resilience in SEQ.