Coral reefs seem to always steal the spotlight when big costal development projects, such as ports, are proposed and it is easy to see why. It is a lot easier to make the case for the protection of coral reefs, which are beautiful, colorful, structures than for the protection of swampy mangroves. What most people don’t know is that mangroves contribute greatly to reef health and biodiversity.
The expansion of Abbot Point port for increased coal exports poses a great threat to the reef ecosystem. Many concerns have been raised specifically about the dredging and dumping of material near the reef. What most people are ignoring is the fact that the expansion of the port will require the distraction of mangrove ecosystems; an action that is no longer permitted.
This is terrible for the mangroves, which provide a host of ecosystem services such as costal protection, absorption of CO2, firewood, and medicine amongst other things. The destruction of mangroves also has implications for coral reefs.
A study by National Geographic states that “mangroves serve as a vital, intermediate nursery as coral reef fish journey from their cribs in seagrass beds to the large coral reef ecosystems that fringe coastal communities”. Fish were twice as abundant in reefs located near a mangrove forest. Peter Mumby believes that ” conservation efforts are necessary to protect connected corridors of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs to maintain the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems—and their productivity for fisheries.”
Because the whole system is highly interdependent an interconnected and ecosystem based management approach is essential. The effects that the destruction of even a very small part of the ecosystem can have on the environment is tremendous and there is no way to control for the impact. It is essential that people start becoming more informed on mangroves and their importance in the ocean ecosystem so that adequate protection measures can be ensured.
References:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/31/great-barrier-reef-dredging-spoil-dumping-approved-abbot-point
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/14/abbot-point-indian-record-scrutiny
http://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/mangrove-philippines/mangrove-ecosystem-services,914,AR.html
http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/staff/index.php?web_id=peter_mumby
Image credit: www.marinespatialecologylab.org