Mangroves are considered one of the only trees or shrubs capable of living in salt water. Mangroves are an important ecosystem found throughout Florida’s coastal areas. These trees and shrubs that are easily acceptable to salt water, can become dense forests along coastlines, estuaries, and lagoons.
The protection that mangroves provide along the Florida coast is under attack every day. There are several key factors that cause damage to mangroves in Florida:
- Population Growth and Land Development: Mangroves can be easily destroyed or removed to make room for development growth along the coastal areas. Development may include construction of buildings, housing, and roads.
- Water Pollution: Pollution from urban runoff, sediment, oil spills, and other sources can harm mangroves by altering water quality.
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of storms cause damage or kill mangroves by flooding, erosion, and high winds.
It is important to protect our mangroves, as they provide numerous ecological and economic benefits, including serving as nursing habitat for birds, fish, and shellfish species. They also are excellent at filtering water and providing protection from storms and erosion.
Another very important contribution mangroves provide us is by helping increase overall water quality. Mangroves filter pollutants and sediment from the water, improving water quality and reducing the impacts of nutrient pollution on adjacent coastal waterways.
Unfortunately, mangrove ecosystems are under threat from human activities such as agriculture and land development. It is important to protect and conserve these unique and valuable ecosystems for their ecological, economic, and cultural significance.
Preserving mangrove ecosystems is critical for the well-being of our planet and future generations. Mangroves play a crucial role in combating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide, protecting coastlines from erosion and storm damage, and providing habitats for a diverse range of plant and animal species.
KCI can implement, monitor, and manage cost saving environmental best management practices to prevent hazardous conditions from stormwater exposure. Ask us to help you with your stormwater compliance needs! Call us today on 888-346-7779.