Mangroves

Guardians of the Coasts in Tropics and Sub-tropics

According to IUCN (2009) global mangrove cover is estimated to be between 167,000 and 181,000km2. Among 40 % of them are found in South and Southeast Asia. More than a third of the mangrove plants are vanished due to over exploitation and destruction of their habitats, as global annual mangrove deforestation ranges 2-8%. Shrimp culture account for 20-50% of mangrove destruction worldwide. It has been predicted if rehabilitation or conservation activities not prevail developing countries will lose 25% of their remaining mangrove cover by 2050. This book comprises habitats of mangroves, their adaptations, types of mangrove swamps, their ecological, environmental, aesthetic and commercial values, associated flora and fauna, causes for their destruction and mangrove rehabilitation strategies.