EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Monitoring the Mangroves

Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina), Family Avicenniaceae
Northern Territory, Australia

Explanation:  This is the single, lone genus in its family Avicenniaceae which occurs throughout the tropics of the world.  

Mangrove forests play critical roles along inhabited coastline in reducing storm surge and coastal flooding, stabilizing soils and reducing erosion, filtering runoff, and providing key habitats for many species of fish and wildlife.  Yet many mangrove forests have been, and are being, decimated from habitat conversion, agricultural chemicals, invasive species, and other threats.  In some locations, such as the greater Hong Kong area, only small patches remain.  

So step up to the need to monitor the status of these scarce but vital ecosystems.  

Australia has instituted a MangroveWatch program to help determine the health of its tropical estuaries.  The program depends on partnerships between community watchers and scientists.