Restoration of mangrove hectares along Tanga, Pemba seashore impressive

TANZANIA: MORE than 90 hectares of mangroves have been restored along the seashore in Tanga and Pemba Island.

Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs adapted to live in coastal intertidal zones, specifically in tropical and subtropical regions. They thrive in salty or brackish water, where most other plants cannot survive and are known for their unique root systems and ability to tolerate harsh conditions.

Mr Suleiman Masoud Mohammed, an official with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), made this assertion at a training workshop on the blue economy for members of the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET) last week.

The IUCN’s naturebased solutions officer said that the mangrove restoration efforts were carried out in Mkoani and Micheweni districts of Pemba island, as well as Mkinga and Pangani districts of Tangar.

“Mangroves play a crucial role as breeding grounds for marine life, including fish and crustaceans,” he said, noting that the coastal trees are natural barriers to coastline destruction in events of sea storms.

Mangroves inhabit coastal areas like estuaries, lagoons and mangrove swamps, where they are regularly flooded by tides.

Adaptations: They have evolved several adaptations to survive in their challenging environment, including:

Salt Tolerance: Mangroves can excrete excess salt through their leaves or roots, preventing it from harming them.

Oxygen Uptake: Their specialised root systems, like prop roots and pneumatophores, help them absorb oxygen from the air, as the soil is often waterlogged and low in oxygen.

Sediment Stabilisation: The intricate root systems of mangroves help to stabilise sediments, preventing erosion and protecting coastlines.

Seed Germination: Some mangrove species have seeds that can germinate while still attached to the parent tree, allowing them to float and establish themselves in new areas.

In addition to protecting coastlines, mangroves filter land-based waste entering the sea, moderates temperature and—like all trees—absorb and store carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation, Mr Mohammed explained.

But mangrove restoration targets environmental conservation along with enabling shoreline communities to make gains from revitalised forests, like the production of mangrove honey.

Mr Joseph Olila, IUCN (T) Programme Manager for coastal and ocean resilience says that the produce is slightly sour yet sweet syrup and is gaining popularity in local and international markets.

Restoring mangroves is a highly hard task, making the recovery of over 90 hectares a landmark achievement for the zone, he said, elaborating that historically, mangroves have been heavily exploited for firewood, boatbuilding and construction, leading to substantial degradation of coastal ecosystems.

Tanzania’s coastline stretches over 1,400 kilometres but the country has made limited progress in capitalising on the vast opportunities offered by the blue economy, the expert asserts.

Zanzibar has made significant progress, tapping into more than 80 per cent of its blue economy potential, he affirmed, pointing out that the workshop and planned field visits are meant to deepen JET members’ understanding of the blue economy.

This engagement is likely to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for marine conservation and sustainable coastal development; he specified, underlining the need to raise awareness and build capacity among journalists in various media houses.

They need to report effectively, accurately and consistently on blue economy issues; thus IUCN is providing hands-on learning experiences involving interactions with local beneficiaries.

They are part of blue economy initiatives under the Bahari Project, enabling participants to develop impactful, evidence-based stories, he added.

Importance: Mangroves play a vital role in coastal ecosystems: Shoreline Protection: They act as natural buffers against erosion, storms and hurricanes.

Habitat and Nursery: Mangrove forests provide shelter, feeding grounds and nursery areas for a wide variety of fish, shellfish, birds and other wildlife.

Carbon Storage: Mangroves are highly effective at sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change.

Water Quality: They filter pollutants and trap sediments, improving water quality in coastal areas.

Mangroves are found along tropical and subtropical coasts, with the Western Indian Ocean being home to particularly high mangrove diversity. These forests support a huge array of biodiversity, providing food and shelter for many species above and below the water – from birds, mammals and insects to fish, mollusk and crustaceans.

They are important nurseries for fish, shellfish and some shark species. They help protect coral reefs and seagrass beds by filtering runoff from the land, preventing much soil and sediment from entering the sea.

Mangroves benefit humans in many ways – through providing a source of food, traditional medicine and timber in addition to protecting shorelines from erosion, storms and rising sea levels.

They are also extremely effective at storing carbon in their leaves, wood and roots as well as in the sediments they hold in place. Protecting and restoring mangroves is hugely important in the battle against human-induced climate change.

Sadly, mangroves are threatened by coastal development, unsustainable wood collection and clearing for aquaculture. Studies indicate that at least 35 per cent of the world’s mangrove forests may have been lost between 1980 and 2000.

The Wildlife Conservation Society created this educational poster to highlight the value of mangrove ecosystems. It is available in English, Portuguese and Kiswahili. Please email sarahindar@gmail.com for a Restoration of mangrove hectares along Tanga, Pemba seashore impressive print resolution copy.

Mangroves might be referred to any of certain wetland shrubs and trees that grow in dense thickets or forests along tidal estuaries, in salt marshes and on muddy saline or brackish coasts and that characteristically have prop roots—i.e., exposed supporting roots.

The term mangrove also applies to thickets and forests of such plants.

Respiratory or knee roots (pneumatophores) are characteristic of many species; they project above the mud and have small openings (lenticels) through which air enters, passing through the soft spongy tissue to the roots beneath the mud.

Mangroves belong primarily to the families Rhizophoraceae, Acanthaceae, Lythraceae, Combretaceae and Arecaceae and essential to the health and functioning of tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystems throughout the world.

JET aims to raise public awareness on environmental problems through different mass media including radio and television programmes, news and feature articles and (traditional) communication systems such as theatre, art, dances and plays. Holds seminars and workshops on issues related to environmental problems.

Mr John Chikomo, the JET Director, noted with emphasis that training to journalists plays a pivotal role in environmental conservation, as after trainings journalists reach out to the mass in simple language, hence sends home the required massages.

Mr Chikomo said that quipping journalists with essential knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for investigative reporting on biodiversity conservation and climate change issues is important.

The overarching objective is to empower journalists with the capacity and knowledge to effectively investigate and report on wildlife connectivity, marine and forest conservation, trafficking, poaching and the promotion of wildlife conservation and tourism.

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Mr Chikomo emphasises that, besides establishing networks by connecting journalists with conservation stakeholders at various levels, the trainings seek to elevate the quality of stories related to corridors, wildlife connectivity and biodiversity conservation.

Ultimately, the initiative aspires to enhance journalists’ contributions to these critical environmental issues.