Mangrove forests are places of incredible biodiversity. With trees and shrubs that prefer saline coastal habitats throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, they span 118 countries and territories, covering an estimated fifty thousand square miles or so. A distinct biome dominating three quarters of all tropical coastlines, these forests are essential to the health of the ocean, as well as to the health of our entire planet.
Diving Alongside a Forest
Mangroves have evolved to thrive along salt water coastlines, and a number of highly specialized creatures have made their homes among the knotted roots that extend into the areas where they dominate the landscape.
Not only do mangroves aid sea creatures, they help humans, as well, providing an important buffer against raging storms and even protecting human settlements from destructive tsunamis. An Indian village called Tamil Nadu planted a kilometer-wide belt of 80,244 saplings to gain the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records, only to have the trees save the entire village during a tsunami. While the area was flooded, the trees absorbed the waves’ destructive force.
Such reforestation is becoming more common today, which is a good thing since about 35% of the world’s mangrove forests were lost to human exploitation during the last several decades of the 20th century. Much habitat is lost to shrimp farming in Asian countries, but in the Bahamas, in places like Bimini and the Great Guana Cay, conservation efforts are in high gear. Trinidad and Tobago also deserve special mention for their conservation efforts, as do Thailand, Senegal, and some African states, including Eritrea, where an astonishing 700,000 mangroves were planted between 2001 and 2007.
Diving alongside a mangrove forest is something unique and unforgettable. The biodiversity is almost shocking, with an abundance of fish, including juvenile snappers, barracuda, and grunts. In areas where mangroves and coral reefs inhabit the same space, you’ll find sea fans and coral decorating mangrove roots, thanks to the filtered light that mimics conditions in much deeper water. Archerfish, cardinal fish, and loads of crustaceans can be found in mangrove forests, with species varying from one place to another.
Shallow diving is the name of the game here; you can snorkel in some places if you like, or enjoy extended amounts of bottom time thanks to depths that max out at just a few meters on average. While water is usually clear when undisturbed, heavy silting can be problematic in some places; using careful finning techniques and diving at high tide helps prevent low visibility from ruining what might otherwise be a spectacular dive.
Depending on where you go, you could find yourself navigating underwater forests where mazes of tree roots present an entanglement hazard. If you’re not well trained, stay out of areas that could be difficult to navigate, and simply enjoy the periphery of the forest. Enjoy the filtered light streaming through the trees, and be sure to carry a good dive light with you so you can see the colors all around you.
With careful attention to conservation, the mangrove forests will continue to be an asset to people all around the world. Besides providing important habitat and enabling divers to enjoy some outstanding sites, these forests provide oxygen and combat global warming through their respiration.