Natural Defenders: The Mangrove Situation in the Philippines

Photo by Jyruz Hilbero

With the recent super typhoons that hit the country, it is without doubt that climate change is truly upon us. When typhoons become super typhoons and rain brings along flash floods, storm surges, and tsunamis, the effect of every weather phenomenon and the damages that it could bring are amplified to a significantly greater amount. Thankfully, despite the harm we subject Mother Nature to, she still stands up for all of us. She has assigned a silent defender to confront and mitigate flooding and erosion. These so-called silent defenders are the mangrove trees.

Mangrove trees are most beneficial during flooding situations. The dense roots of these mangrove trees slow down the speed of the water flowing inland. This, in effect, helps prevent displacement of sediments and eventually prevent soil erosion. For a country that is very prone to subsequent flooding especially during the rainy season, this function of mangrove trees is very helpful. Henry Adoraro, Director of DENR’s Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau, stated that “Mangroves provide shelter and protection to the community. In fact, study shows that a kilometer-wide of mangrove area can reduce the tsunamis by 70% when it comes to strength.”

According to DENR’s 2021 forestry statistics, 311,400 hectares are covered by mangrove forests. Mangrove trees are shrubs or trees that are commonly found along coastal waters. In the Philippines, mangrove forests are located mostly in the southern part of the archipelago and also in Northern Sierra Madre. Mangrove trees can range from two to ten meters in height. It is also characterized by having dangling roots above the ground that are commonly known as pneumatophores or breathing roots. Out of the 70+ mangrove species in the world, there are 46 species currently existing in the Philippines.

Photo from the World Bank Blogs

Aside from mitigating floods and tsunamis, mangrove trees also have many other functions and feats.

Linking terrestrial life to marine life is another job of mangroves. It acts as the bridge between land and sea. Its unique structure and location allows the mangroves to transfer energy and biological materials into the ocean.
Absorbing excess salt is another great feat of mangrove trees according to the American Museum of Natural History. As its leaves grow in size as time passes by, it needs more water to dilute the accumulating salt it intakes. This increase of water absorption leads to thicker and fleshier leaves that takes along with it the salt the mangrove trees absorbed when it ages and falls off from the tree.
Diversifying the ecosystem is another notable ability of mangrove trees. It houses numerous aquatic life forms such as shrimps, fishes, crabs, and a variety of mollusk species. This makes mangrove forests a rich source of seafood. Medicinal plants are also found in mangrove ecosystems.
Providing durable materials to people living in mangrove areas is also another great feat of these trees. Its wood is incredibly resistant to rot and insects. It makes good construction materials. Mangrove leaves are also used as animal fodder.

Photo from Environmental Science for Social Change

Even with all of these benefits we get from nature’s silent defender, it still faces many risks and challenges posed by human activities. Continued deforestation with little to no replacement efforts is the number one threat to mangrove trees. This includes overharvesting of the said tree.

The different dams and irrigation projects currently being built such as the Kaliwa Dam Project also pose a threat to the mangrove trees as construction of that kind of infrastructure changes the water levels of the mangrove areas which in effect also changes the salinity levels of the waters. When the salinity level of the water is too high, mangrove trees cannot survive. This diversion of freshwater leads to mangroves drying out.

Climate change is also another threat to the existence of mangrove trees. In order to survive, mangrove trees need stable sea levels. With climate change raising the sea levels all over the world, mangrove trees may start to decline. This rapid rising of sea level is the most serious threat that climate change poses to mangrove ecosystems. Mangrove trees are not only of concern to coastal communities but also to the whole Philippines. The role of mangrove trees against extreme weather phenomena brought about by climate change is not its sole purpose. It also silently protects the people vulnerable to such phenomena and gives them not only basic necessities like food but also a stable form of income. Mangrove deforestation is sure to hit both terrestrial and marine biodiversities, upsetting the balance of nature leading to serious economic and environmental repercussions.

Photo from Mother Nature Network

Being aware of the significance of mangrove trees to a typhoon-prone Philippines is just a small part of environmental awareness. Let us act together in saving the mangrove trees that protect us. Let us spread word about the importance of mangroves while supporting establishments of mangrove protection. After all, these trees have been saving us from catastrophes, as such with Typhoon Paeng and those before it.

#SaveTheMangroves #MangrovesProtectMan Note: This is in continuation of the four-part series article to promote environmental education and foster action-driven motives. Stay tuned to UST-CASA Chronicle's official Facebook page for updates on the succeeding articles as we explore the wonders of forestation in the Philippines.