The Philippines
Mangroves
Mangroves are characterized by a various range of extensive trees, from shrubs to 200 feet high timber that grow in high saline sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics. High in nutrients, these mangroves serve essential proteins for livelihood and biodiversity. These areas are vital breeding grounds for marine life, habitats for insects, and even nesting ground for birds. Mangroves become homes to reptiles, birds, amphibians, mammals, fish, crabs, shrimps, mollusks, and many other invertebrates. Furthermore, more than half of the Philippine's villages depend on these habitats, such as for food, traditional herbal medicine, and wood products. Source: http://www.adb.org/features/students-and-local-officials-replant-mangrove-forests-philippines
In Figure 1, we see the distribution of mangrove forests that run along the coasts of the Philippines. Although we see that these mangrove forests are spread through, in Figure 2, we are able to compare provinces and conclude that Palawan extends with the most mangrove forests.
Figure 1: Mangroves forests distribution of the Philippines in 2000 Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231605/ |
Figure 2: Provinces in the Philippines with the majority of mangrove extent Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231605/
Source: http://www.endangeredspeciesinternational.org/mangrove.html
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