What comes to your mind when you think of the word

‘Mangroves’?

Origin of the word ‘mangrove’

The EVIL mangrove swamps!!

A Historical Perspective

Alexander von Humboldt South American Voyage

Accounts

(1805 – 1834)

Beccari (an Italian naturalist)

Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo (1904)

‘The mangrove swamp is one of the most difficult and fatiguing things in

the world to traverse. Myriads of mosquitoes swarm in it!’

•Lack of public awareness and

misconceptions about mangroves

in Singapore

•Increasing affluent society

•Nature obstructs economic

growth

•Filthy dumping grounds

Why Fear?

•Unpredictable appearance of insects

•Sinking into mud

•Alienation from nature

Fear not but take Pride

Mangroves attained their highest species diversity

and abundance in the Central Indo-Pacific

region!

Figure 1. Mangrove Species Richness: Native distributions of mangrove species.

Contains 40% of the world’s mangroves!

Only 0.12% of the world’s total land area BUT ……………….

Provide at least US$1.6 billion each year in ecosystem services!!!!!

Mangrove Timber

Most versatile and useful plant in the mangrove forest

Nypa Palm!!

Mangroves as medicinal plants:

Avicennia

Avicennia:

An Arabian PhysicianInhibit inflammation, heal skin ulcers and

most interesting…….

Natural Contraceptive!!

Ideal Fish Nurseries

Harmony between man and mangroves

The story of an Asmat tribe

Harmony between man and mangroves

The story of an Asmat tribe

Mangrove belts give protection

Have we learnt from History?

From Molokai – Hawaii

From Bangladesh 1970s

MANGROVES – THE LIVING CLASSROOM

A tree climbing crab A giant mudskipper

A half beak

MANGROVES – THE LIVING CLASSROOM

A Malayan Monitor Lizard

Mangrove mud creepers

What comes to your mind when you think about FOREST

DEGRADATION?

Chocked by oil spills!

Main oil tanker route map

Ineffective Law enforcement for mangrove protection

Is it too late for this forgotten forest?