Loss of Mangroves

In primeval Singapore, mangroves were in abundance and covered the area of Singapore extensively. In 1819, mangrove forests covered at estimated 75km². However, after the beginning of the rapid urbanization of Singapore in 1965, much of these mangrove forests were cleared in order to make space for land reclamation projects. Mangrove forests in areas like Kranji and Lower Seletar were completely wiped out to make way for more land in order to keep up with the demands of the fast-growing population.In 2010, environmentalists estimated the size of the remaining mangrove forests to be at 6.6km². Although the government has attempted to rectify this situation by constructing a man-made mangrove forest, Sungei Api Api, the only existing natural mangrove forests are Sungei Buloh and Mandai.

6272555873_872d883fea_o

Mangrove Forest at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Image take from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jackerbie/6272555873

Mangroves contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the ecosystem. They serve as a feeding area for birds, especially migratory birds. Mangroves at Sungei Buloh receive flocks of migratory birds that fly in from the northern regions in search of food and shelter during winter. Various species of fish and plants also reside amongst the swamps surrounding the mangroves.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Migratory birds seeking shelter under mangroves at Sungei Buloh 

Image taken from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/coolinsights/6340538914

Mangroves also trap sediment in the water bed that is a result of erosion at the coastlines. Roots of the mangrove slow down water flow and in that process, trap sedimentation. As mentioned in the issues faced as a result of land reclamation, sedimentation clouds the water and does not allow the passing through of sunlight. This causes aquatic plants to not obtain enough sunlight to photosynthesize. Thus, the presence of mangroves is beneficial to aquatic life that resides nearby.

Mangroves not only provide shelter, food and nesting area for organisms, but they also improve water quality to allow aquatic life to prosper. As such, mangroves play an important role in biodiversity. Clearing of mangroves could potentially cause damage to the ecosystem.