A mangrove system is a very complex ecosystem. We cannot separate that mangrove ecosystem. An ecosystem that requires the participation of everyone, whether zoologists or plant scientists, or oceanographers. Then we need to be informed about the protection of such a complex ecosystem, the organisms that live in it, what its functions are, and its benefits. Mangroves are not everywhere. We need to do a good study on it and understand its environmental role. However, my view is that changing the ecosystem at the beach should not be done without a good understanding. Hotel construction is going on relentlessly. This will adversely affect other areas of the coast. So you have to do something with a good understanding of the ecosystem. Says Professor Epitawela. Coastal areas have the highest population density in the country. Therefore, not only the mangroves in general, but also the general ecosystems have been and are being harmed by human activities, he said. Causes human activity. The coastal area is very sensitive to changes in the environment. All of us, including the people of the country, should be well aware of this.
Mangroves grow in a special environment. Biodiversity in the mangrove system is on the one hand, and mangrove systems contain a variety of organisms that are not found in other environments. Changing the mangrove system changes not only its biodiversity but also the physical condition of the environment. On the other hand, the mangrove system has some effect on the surrounding environment. For example, the protection of the surrounding environment is possible only if this mangrove environment exists. E.g. Imagine that there are swamps with mangrove environment. Then the swamps will be protected only if there is this mangrove environment. If we make a sudden change in nature, it will inevitably have an effect on the other side. That is to say, if we do something in any part of the coast without any understanding of the activity there, without understanding the ripples or tides and the rising and falling of their level, if we do any landfill or construction, it will not affect the environment beyond that place.
Mangroves can be divided into two main types. True mangroves and associated mangroves. True mangroves can only grow in the intertidal zone. But associated mangroves can also grow in mangroves. It can also be grown in low-salinity marshes. Of paramount importance is the increased productivity of mangroves. These mangroves are said to be the most productive plants. The more food he produces, the more food he makes. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted is high. Too much food means we're just talking about plants. There is an animal lineage. There is a large animal population that depends on the food they produce. Especially crabs. Such as animals. In addition, when it comes to fish harvest, even the fish harvest in the sea can be determined by the conditions in the mangrove environment. Because there are some fish and crab species. They come to this mangrove environment only to lay their eggs. Too much production means too much of the microbes we talk about. So the other animal lineage that depends on them is more. Food can be easily found.
Mangroves in particular have that root system. Because the soil in the environment is not very stable, the soil is usually muddy. To withstand this, a root system called karumul and kairimul was formed. Underneath these, those little animals are much safer. So some animals come here to lay eggs. They come and lay their eggs and leave only after the young have grown up. Going to the freshwater side as well. Biodiversity on both sides can depend on both sides can depend on this nature.
In a mangrove environment, the salinity of seawater varies widely. That is why biodiversity is so different. Seawater: Where there are mangroves, seawater changes from time to time. Mangroves are the only ones that can survive in that changing environment. Other environments cannot. Mangroves are a special type of plant. Not like other plants. Then, as the salinity of the seawater changes, the animals react to the changes. The reason is that the amount of oxygen in the soil and water in the mangrove environment varies from day to day and month to month. Then, after the mangroves are taken over, the mangroves are activated to maintain the quality of the water in the environment, such as beauty or seawater, and we call it the purity of the water. And that's where the dirt finally goes to the polluted beach. Mangroves carry out the process of cleaning up that waste. So mangroves purify all the waste that is added to the environment. Also, they are like mud that is washed ashore. They are saved by the roots in the mangroves. Mangroves protect the environment not only from sea erosion but also from land erosion. Says Prof. Pitawala. Some see a mangrove as seemingly muddy, or unusable land, while others see it as a dumping ground for any rubbish. But people need to get rid of the misconceptions about this mangrove, which is a land of ecological and economic value.
Mangrove depletion appears to be caused by human activity, unwanted construction, as well as other environmental factors. We asked him about this. Changes in salinity. Sometimes freshwater can be diverted from an estuary to a lagoon. Then the mangroves may disappear. There is a way of spreading in the mangrove ecosystem. Some mangroves are heavily marine. There are some mangroves that seem to be behind the mangroves. Especially because of the salinity. If the salinity changes, some species may become extinct. Mangrove forests are also being destroyed by prawn cages. Mangrove forests have been cleared since the 1980s, when shrimp farming was popularized. Taken to shrimp cages. Because of the low ground, water can be collected and tanks built. Around 96, a virus called white spot was found in shrimp. They all abandoned the shrimp cages. The prawn cages were set up in mangrove forests. Now there are no prawn cages. There are no mangrove forests as before. The environment has changed. It is under our influence that we have to restore a mangrove. Although the forest cover in Sri Lanka is 29%, the mangrove population is very small.
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