Page 13 - ATA

A14 LOCAL
Friday 26 July 2019

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem

Continued from Page 13 (Apogonidae) snapper tant nursery site for many
(Lutjanidae), grouper (Ser- aquatic species such as
They form dense, often im- ranidae), wrasse (Labri- fish and crustaceans (i.e.
penetrable forests, choked dae), pufferfish (Tetradonti- crabs, shrimp, lobster)
with tangled prop roots dae), boxfish (Ostraciidae), - Mangroves provide har-
and bathed in mud. Man- butterflyfish (Chaetodon- vestable products such as
groves have evolved the tidae), damselfish (Poma- food, including fish and
amazing ability to thrive un- centridae), scorpionfish crustaceans
der extremely harsh condi- (Scorpaenidae) and grunts - Mangroves provide regu-
tions. Not only can they tol- (Haemulidae) all can be lating functions such as
erate high levels of salt but found milling around man- carbon sequestration and
they are also able to cope groves, darting in and out water management: man-
with more or less constantly of their rootsy home. Some groves capture and store
waterlogged soil. Need- species such as the com- different forms of carbon
less to say there are not mercially important spiney responsible for climate
many of them, only 40 spe- lobster (Panulirus sp) use change and slow the pas-
cies have been recorded the mangrove to as spawn- sage of water, collecting
worldwide. Red mangroves ing grounds. In all between silt running off the land to-
(Rhizophera sp) survive by 60 and 80 different spe- wards the sea
breathing through lenticels cies of fish can routinely be - Mangroves protect our
(pores) in their prop roots they do, at the interface snook (Centropomus un- found in mangroves. coasts from erosion by
whilst black mangroves between land and water, decimalis), and mangrove waves and wind
(Avecennia sp) send up a mangroves provide a valu- snapper (Lutjanus griseus), Prop roots - Mangroves provide for
field of pneumatophores able service in protecting mangroves provide a safe Mangrove prop roots form tourism, recreation and hik-
(aerial roots) around the land from the buffeting haven for nearly every kind veritable oases of life. ing
trunk of the tree through power of the sea. of reef fish and many in- The roots themselves are For this reason the Spanish
which they breath. All spe- vertebrates at some time smothered in encrusting life Lagoon was designated
cies of mangrove extrude Refugia during their life. Snorkelling including mangrove oys- a Ramsar site – a wetland
salt through their leaves, In addition to resident plants throughmangrove is like vis- ters and barnacles, mussels site of international impor-
which is why the leaves and animals like killifish, tar- iting the reef in miniature. and anemones, sponges, tance - in 1980 and brought
glisten in sunlight. Living as pon (Megalops atlanticus), The young of cardinalfish tunicates, stinging hydroids under the protection of
and worms. the National Park in 2017.
Crabs are a ubiquitous Spanish Lagoon alone has
feature of mangrove eco- a high biodiversity with 190
systems. Grapsid crabs live animal and 64 plant spe-
underwater emerging at cies recorded to date and
low water to feast on the provides ecosystem ser-
mangrove forest floor. They vices that are important for
are herbivores gobbling up the economic and social
detritus, leaves and seed- wellbeing of the island.
lings. Fiddler crabs also
forage on the mud but StimAruba, the organiza-
they are deposit feeders tion that devotes herself to
scooping up sediment and nature conservation and
sifting through it for edible nature protection, would
particles. The males have like to invite you to a walk
a huge, brightly coloured to explore the 4 different
claw which is useless for types of mangroves called
feeding but vital when ‘Mangel” in Papiamento.
defending a territory or at- This will take place today at
tracting a mate. 4:30pm starting at the ruins
in Spanish Lagoon ‘Spaans
Importance of Mangroves: Lagoon’.
- Mangroves provide an
important breeding site for It is of utmost importance
many species of migratory that more mangrove ar-
and non-migratory bird eas of Aruba are brought
species under protection. Please
- Mangroves support a appreciate our precious
large range of wintering mangroves and help us to
and foraging wetland birds conserve our unique island
- Mangroves are an impor- nature!q