A WAY OF LIFE.
Mangrove forests grow naturally along the ocean and lagoons on the islands of
Kiribati. For centuries mangroves have provided wood for fuel, posts, poles,
boats, houses, fences, walls, and furniture, and have been used to stake fish
traps, to cultivate seaweed, and to dye and preserve canoe sails and clothing.
Mangrove leaves and flowers are used in garlands and leis.
A PRICELESS
RESOURCE. Mangroves have other important roles. Mangrove forests are
home to birds and aquatic marine life. The odd looking mangrove root systems
provide sheltered places for crabs, prawns, and fish to feed and to breed, and
protect the shoreline from erosion. Mangroves also provide shelter from the
sun, wind, and rain. Mangrove trees are part of the food chain. Their leaves
fall into the water where they supply food to small organisms, which in turn
are eaten by fish.
A RESOURCE IN DANGER. The many benefits provided by mangroves are being threatened.
Development is removing the forests. Mangroves have been lost to land
reclamation, and to construction of fishponds and inter-islet causeways.
Mangroves have been degraded through harvesting for fuelwood and structural
materials. Dumping of rubbish pollutes the mangrove habitat. Losses and
degradation of mangroves are expected to increase with the growing population
and development pressures. The stresses caused by development are most obvious
on South Tarawa. In parts of the world where mangroves have been destroyed,
people have noticed a great decline in the fish catch. Destruction of the
mangroves of Kiribati could mean not only less fish to eat but also possibly
reduced national income from the sale of fishing rights. |
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