Mangroves

Mangroves are wetland ecosystems formed by the assemblage of specialized plants and animals adapted to semi saline swamps along coasts.  Mangrove forests of Kerala are highly localized, but the species diversity of these mangroves and its associates are comparatively rich.  It is confined to the upper reaches of estuaries, lagoons, backwaters and creeks.  In Kerala mangroves are distributed in all the districts except Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad and Wayanad.  Maximum extent is reported from Kannur district.  The total extent of mangrove forests in the state is estimated to be less than 50km2 (Mohanan 1997) .  Mangroves play an important role in the economy of coastal people through various ways.  Mangroves provide excellent habitat for migratory birds, serve as breeding ground for many species of fishes and prawns helps in controlling pollution, rutting of husks etc.

 The important mangrove plants are

 Acanthus cillicifolius, Acrostichum aurem, Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia officinalis, A, rina, Azima tetracantha, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, B. cylindrica, B sexangula, Excoecaria agallocha, E indica, Kandelia candel, Rhizophora apiculate, R mucronata, Sonneratia caseolaris, Calophyllum etc.  Some of these species that disappeared from the Kerala coast are Azima tetracantha an Ceriops tagal, Heritiera littoralis and Flagellaria indica have discourteous distribution.  Calamus rotang and Syzygium travancoricum are some of the rare and endangered species found in the mangroves.

 The major threats to the mangrove forests are land reclamation for urbanization, intensive aquaculture felling of mangrove trees for fuel and fodder, unsustainable land use, ambiguity in ownership etc.