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CAPTION: A Journey to Mangrove Wetlands

SITE VISITED: Okorombokho in Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

Mangroves Wetlands are very unique ecosystems with large biodiversity, dominating the coastal zones in tropical and subtropical regions. The mangrove trees have typical characteristics to survive in a salty environment which is subjected to tides of the oceans, seas or rivers. Pneumatophores, stilt roots, salt glands, salt exclusion and vivipary are some adaptations that can be found among the mangrove species. Mangroves are important and essential ecosystems. For example, they function as a sediment trap preventing the destruction of coral reefs and sea grass beds, they house many different and endangered species and they are excellent fish nurseries. They also house diverse flora species such as Nypa fruticans, Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia africana, Paspalulum viginatum, Achrosticum aureus, Staudtia stipitata (Mkpenek in Ibibio dialect), Terminalia superba (Afia Eto in Ibibio) etc. The local people depend on the mangroves for timber (Rhizophora mangle, Terminalia superba, Staudtia stipitata etc), nursery and breeding grounds for fishes/crabs and for food. Despite these benefits, anthropogenic perturbations have been on the increase and these have caused the fragmentation and destruction of mangroves at a geometric rate. Mangroves are even destroyed at a higher rate compared to tropical rainforests and coral reefs. This destruction is caused by intensive cutting, land use changes by humans, pollution (waste deposition and open defecation), shrimp ponds and oil spills. These call for serious concern among Mangrove Ecologists and Environmentalists due to the fact that the ecosystem benefits derived are being lost at a faster rate than they can be replenished. As a Wetland Ecologist, I therefore urge you to protect and conserve the remaining wetlands around you because of the ecological benefits gotten from them and not to see them as ‘Waste Lands’ which should be used for infrastructural and industrial developments.

Think of this: ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE IS DEAD AND CUT DOWN, THE LAST RIVER POLLUTED AND POISONED AND THE LAST FISH CAUGHT WILL WE REALIZE THAT WE CANNOT EAT MONEY!!!