Madagascar mangroves
| Madagascar mangroves | |
|---|---|
hot desert climate (BWh) | |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | vulnerable |
| Global 200 | included |
Madagascar mangroves are a coastal
Geography
Mangrove swamps are located in flat coastal areas where the ocean tides wash saltwater high into the mouths of rivers which are bringing nutrient-rich soil down to the coast. For mangroves to thrive, there needs to be some natural feature such as
Flora
The mangrove trees found in Madagascar are mainly Rhizophora mucronata, Black Mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorhiza), Ceriops tagal, White Mangrove (Avicennia marina), Sonneratia alba and Lumnitzera racemosa. Other species are Xylocarpus granatum and Heritiera littoralis.[1]
Fauna
Mangrove swamps, in Madagascar and around the world, are an important habitat for wildlife. They are a vital breeding ground for many species of fish and a feeding place for migratory birds. The waters of the Madagascar mangroves are rich in fish and other animals such as waterbirds, crocodiles, green turtle (
Threats and conservation
Mangroves are vulnerable to clearance for timber, urban expansion, over-fishing, and erosion in the
Honey is produced in mangroves as a source of (non-destructive) income generation (which can help in preventing people from destroying the mangroves (i.e. for charcoal production). In addition, silk pods from endemic silkworm species are also collected in the Madagascar mangroves for wild silk production.[2][3]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1559633642. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2016-11-01.
- ^ Madagascar: What’s good for the forest is good for the native silk industry
- ^ The secret life of mangroves documentary (episode 2)
External links
- "Madagascar Mangroves". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.