The Mangrove Forests Ecosystem | Let‘s have a look at Mangroves! More Than Just Trees… The Mangrove Forests Ecosystem All Images are free to copy - for non-commercial private and public use. Make Reference to CERV 2009, www.volunteerphilippines.com

 What are Mangroves All About? | Table of Content  What are Mangroves All About?  Why do We Need Them?  What is Dangerous For Mangroves?  How Can We All Protect Them?  Teaching About Mangroves! © CERV 2009

What are Mangroves All About?  What are Mangroves All About?

1 | What Are Mangroves All About? Mangroves live in a unique environment – between land and sea.

1 | What Are Mangroves All About? There are approximately 70 different mangrove species worldwide.

1 | What Are Mangroves All About? Mangroves seeds develop directly on mature mangrove trees.

1 | What Are Mangroves All About? Mangrove seedlings (propagules) already have leaves and roots.

1 | What Are Mangroves All About? Most mangrove species develop impressive root systems.

1 | What Are Mangroves All About? The way mangroves breath: vertical roots can be up to 3 meters long.

1 | What Are Mangroves All About? Successful reforestation: 70ha of mangrove forest in Kalibo, Panay.

Why do We Need Mangroves?  Why do We Need Mangroves?

2 | Why Do We Need Mangroves? Mangroves protect human settlements from storm and typhoons.

2 | Why Do We Need Mangroves? Coastal communities need the mangroves for natural protection.

2 | Why Do We Need Mangroves? Shellfish gatherers at low tide. No mangroves – less shellfish.

2 | Why Do We Need Mangroves? Mangrove roots hold sediments back and prevent erosion.

2 | Why Do We Need Mangroves? Fish, shellfish, crabs and other species need mangroves to survive.

2 | Why Do We Need Mangroves? Mud skipper also need mangrove forests as their natural habitat.

 What is Dangerous For Mangroves?

3 | What is Dangerous For Mangroves? Storms and typhoons not only affect humans, but also mangroves.

3 | What is Dangerous For Mangroves? Like other plants mangroves also suffer from natural diseases.

3 | What is Dangerous For Mangroves? Shells can be dangerous particularly for young mangrove seedlings.

3 | What is Dangerous For Mangroves? Plastic bags and other waste is a major threat for mangroves.

3 | What is Dangerous For Mangroves? Goats can destroy mangrove seedlings and damage mature trees.

 How Can We All Protect the Mangroves?

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? Rhizophora propagules grow up in a mangrove nursery.

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? These seedlings struggle to survive in a badly choosen planting site.

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? Mangrove seedlings can be easily damaged or even destroyed.

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? Mangroves usually produce enough seeds for natural rehabilitation.

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? Mangrove seeds can be collected at existing mangrove forests.

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? A general clean-up with students at a marine sanctuary.

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? Raising awareness! – Talking about the need for mangroves.

4 | How Can We All Protect the Mangroves? Former mud flats in Kalibo turned into a mangrove forest again.

Teaching About Mangroves!  Teaching About Mangroves!

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Coastal Communities need knowledge to protect the mangroves.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Workshop with high school students – including games and activities.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! The “Tree of Life” – one of the exercises during the workshop.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! This exercise illustrates how all species depend on each other.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! High school students answering questions about mangroves.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Students experience how dangerous a plastic bag is for a seedling.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Worksheets on mangrove forests and other coastal ecosystems.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Visualization of key benefits (green) and threats (red).

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Elementary schools students during a mangrove workshop.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! “Wind Versus Mangroves” – An activity for elementary schools.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Elementary school students experiment with mangrove seedlings.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! The “Ocean-Bowl-Experiment” illustrates erosion.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! The students‘ active participation during the workshops is important.

5 | Teaching About Mangroves! Mangrove Education – Learning and having fun at the same time!

Let us protect the mangroves, | Mangrove education Let us protect the mangroves, so that they can protect us! Feel free to use any parts of this presentation Photos: Jens Marquardt