Mangroves are wetlands forests growing in coastal areas. They are essential for the marine and coastal ecosystem interaction. Mangroves live between the sea and the land in areas inundated by tides. All of them share the ability to live in salt water. They can also contain shrubs or palms. 4 Mangrove species are found in the Yucatan Peninsula (Red, White, black and “Botoncillo”). www.ramsar.org

Why are mangroves important?

• An estimated 75 percent of fish caught commercially spend some time in the Mangroves or are dependent on food chains that can be traced back to these coastal forests.
• Without the mangroves, the shrimp and fish that support many of the tropical coastal communities of the world could not exist.
• In addition to being an important habitat for fish and wildlife, mangroves absorb sediments that could cloud the water and cause the coral reefs to die.
• Mangroves have also been shown to absorb pollution such as heavy metals, thus preventing their introduction into the marine ecosystem.
• Mangroves help reduce the impact of storms and the forces of erosion.

What are some of the threats to mangroves?

• The main threat in this region is development. When the mangroves are cleared for hotels and resorts water quality issues become a concern as the primary filter and erosion prevented is removed. This also removes valuable habitat for a variety of species.
• Shrimp farming is also a major threat, with thousands of acres being cleared for shrimp farms.
• Mangrove wood is harvested for construction, charcoal, and tannin used in leather treatment.