Protect Coastal Mangroves of Hurricane and Tsunami

Cyclone or Tsunami - Mangrove forests protect coastal areas from natural disasters. But this is precisely the area that was sacrificed to open the fish or shrimp breeding areas

Towering forest from the bottom of the sea :
coastal areas in tropical regions protected by green belt that stretches between the sea and the land . Mangrove require warm water temperatures , alloys between salt water and fresh water . Various species of birds live and breed in the mangrove branches . While its roots are dug earth serves as a natural habitat for fish and crabs .Since the 1980s mangrove forests worldwide were reduced by 35 % . For that there are many reasons , said Ulrich Saint - Paul of the Center for Marine Biology at the University of Bremen . Mangrove forests are often cut down to build public housing , airports or ports , " but this region is mainly used for breeding crabs and prawns are sold to the international market , " he said .Even so the damage caused by business activities around the mangroves forests exceed the benefits . Because mangroves " not only serves to breed fish , but rather to protect the shoreline from bad weather . And it is very important for climate protection as a major CO2 storage locations , " said Paul .Construction of dams or streams move threatens eskistensi join Mangrove forests , said Rene Capote , researchers mangroves in Cuba . " Even if carried far inland , such activities kills mangrove forests , " he said .Though Mangroves also filter water in coastal areas . It is important for the function of coral reefs and coastal areas , and thus also for tourism as a source of income , said Capote .

Natural-breaking waves

n many cases, Mangrove forests protect coastal areas from storms, typhoons or even tsunamis. Because of this ecosystem is able to sip water in large quantities and thus prevent flooding. "The roots and branches of mangroves hold water waves," said Femke Tonneijck of environmental organization Wetlands International. 

In the case of Haiyan storm that hit the Philippines, Mangrove forest is believed to be able to minimize the impact of the damage in coastal areas, "eg mangrove belt can reduce the height of the waves and waves of energy," said Tonneijck. According to him, mangrove forests can reduce wave heights of up to half a meter - a small factor that could save lives.

In addition Mangrove forests also offer firewood, building materials and foodstuffs after weather-related natural disasters. Even so, it takes a wider belt to be able to produce a significant impact in minimizing the threat of a storm, said Tonneijck. 

European Horticultural techniques for tropical countries 

Cultivation and replanting mangrove trees on the shoreline can also reduce erosion. "We've been in Java, where mangrove forests had to be cut down for the sake of breeding fish and shrimp. To replant we use a special sediment," said Tonneijck.

So far, local governments rely more reclamation by using concrete and other hard materials. "We use wood like a fence. Such techniques do not prevent the flow of sediment. Methods used since long in the Netherlands and northern Germany," he said.

Now there are a number of methods were successful and the World Bank to disburse funds for such projects, said ecologist Mangrove Saint-Paul of the University of Bremen. Unfortunately, according to Paul, mangroves are often cultivated as a monoculture, "and it ignores the biodiversity of ecological stability to the region concerned," he said.