Mangrove forests are a type of forest which is found along coastlines
and river mouths where salty water and fresh water meets. They are
affected by tides. Mangroves are also often found near the equator
because they need warm oceanic currents. They also limited to the high
humid climates between the tropic of Capricorn in the North and the
tropic of Cancer in the south.
Man uses mangrove forest areas in many ways. Firstly they use mangrove
for herbs and making medicine. Secondly, they use mangrove for making
weak wine and some food. Also, they use mangrove areas for
farming/breeding fish, such as snappers, oysters and mussels. Finally,
they use mangrove for living by using wood for charcoal, furniture and
buildings.
Sometimes people actions are sustainable which means they use
mangroves but they don't harm the environment. For example in Krabi
region are acting in a sustainable way by replanting them when they
cut mangrove down and they don't pollute the environment. Fishing and
fish farming also considered as sustainable uses of mangrove areas
because they don't use chemical in the water and they also doesn't
catch small fish, they leave them to grow big and then catch it to
keep it breeding, so they won't be extinct in the area which will harm
the environment.
Unfortunately, sometimes people do not act in a sustainable way and
which cause problems for the environment. The forests are being
destroyed as a result of unsustainable actions such as using
motorboat, throwing rubbish, making noise, taking leave or trees and
taking photos with flashes, human settlements, road constructions,
mining activity and shrimp farms. These actions cause problems. For
example, the engine from motorboat can pollute the water, as can the
rubbish, this pollution may kill the animals that live in the water or
drink the water. Noises and the camera flash can disturb the animals
in the mangroves too.Deforestation of Mangrove forests also affect in
long term and short term. In short term, animals and plants nearby
will be destroyed, soil will not be held by mangrove roots which will
lead to major floods because rainwater will go directly down to the
river, this also cause the river to get silk up because soil has been
washed down to the river without anything stopping it. And in the long
term of global effect, deforestation will causes the green house
effect to the atmosphere because there are fewer trees to produce
oxygen from photosynthesis process.
If mangrove forest areas are to survive they will need to be
protected. This could be done in many ways. The government should
enforce laws to protect mangroves. People also can help by replanting
mangroves when they use them and keep giving warnings and notices to
tourists to make sure they don't destroy the environment, this will
work if everybody helps protecting the forests. Although, the
government might also enforce a law to make zoning for the mangrove
forest by splitting it into 2 zones, first one is the protected zone
where nobody can change the land and another economic zone for
developing but the developers must be careful, any trees those were
cut down must be replanted.