World Mangrove Day is celebrated on July 26 every year. In 2023, World Mangrove Day falls on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. World Mangrove Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems and how to protect them.
Various activities such as awareness campaigns, beach cleanups, mangrove plantings, workshops, and seminars on mangrove conservation are organized on World Mangrove Day. All of these are intended to invite the public, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to jointly conserve mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of the coastal environment and human survival.
Mangroves have a very important role in coastal ecosystems because they act as natural fortresses that protect the coast from erosion, storms, and high waves. In addition, mangrove ecosystems provide habitat for a variety of animal and plant species, filter pollutants from the water, and store carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
However, there are many threats to mangrove ecosystems such as land encroachment, land conversion for agriculture and ponds, and pollution. World Mangrove Day is an opportunity to remind the world of the importance of maintaining and preserving mangrove ecosystems.
In Indonesia, there are approximately 202 species of mangroves, including 89 tree species, 44 ground herbaceous species, 44 epiphytic species, 19 climber species, 5 palm species, and 1 fern species. Of the 202 species, 43 species (including 33 tree species and several shrubs) are true mangroves. Other species can be found in the vicinity of mangroves and are referred to as associate mangrove species. (https://picklelicious.com)
Mangrove plants have specialized adaptations to cope with harsh and changing environmental conditions. Their horizontally and vertically growing roots help them stand upright in soft mud or sand and maintain their stability when exposed to waves and currents.
Read also : Climate Change May Behind the Cause of Mass Fish Die-Off in Thailand, Expert says
Quoted from skp.jabarprov.go.id, mangroves are dicotyledonous plants that live in brackish water environments. Mangrove forests are tropical coastal vegetation communities dominated by many species. Mangrove forests that grow and develop in muddy tidal areas.
Mangroves often live at the confluence of estuaries and seawater, which then serves as a shelter for the land and large ocean waves. Rivers bring fresh water to the mangroves and at high tide the mangroves are surrounded by salt or brackish water.
Source: detik.com
