Human Impact

Threats:
1. Fishponds for aquaculture
The greatest threat to the world's mangroves forest is due to aquaculture. Aquaculture is when "mangrove forests are cleared for ponds, seeded with shrimp larvae and/or juvenile fish, and provided with fish meal feed in order to grow shrimp and fish to adult size at high densities." This technique, for example, was popular for shrimp farming. Although this operation seems to have benefits economically and socially, creating jobs and profit, this damages the mangroves. In order to create these fishponds, thousands of acres of mangroves need to be cleared to make room for the artificial pond. In addition to larvae and fish, chemicals and antibiotics are included to control the farming. The worst part of aquaculture is that it is usually a temporary production. Therefore, after three to ten years, the water becomes too polluted or diseased and become abandoned.

2. Tourism
Although tourism is great for exposure to the natural mangrove forest and for awareness, it can also be a great threat. Even when some tours come with good intent for preserving the mangroves, irresponsible tourism is hazardous. Along with tourism, can come big groups bringing garbage, wastes, fumes, lights, or other disturbances that can damage the surroundings. Some tourist elements such as building hotels and restaurants, also directly add to the destruction of mangroves. These infrastructures are being built on land near these mangroves and add to the pollution that directly affect their livelihood.

3. Agriculture
In addition to fish farming, agriculture has also contributed to the destruction of mangrove forests. Many mangrove forests have also been cleared for other forms of agriculture such as for rice paddies, rubber trees, and palm oil plantations. In addition, fertilizers and chemicals are used in these farming techniques, and then eventually spreading and polluting nearby waters. Consequently, forest mangroves become destroyed by the inability to adapt to chemical changes in the water.

4. Coastal Development
Similar to tourism, coastal developments bring people, who bring garbage and disruption. The development of buildings, brings along disruption to the nature state of the mangroves. More pollution accompany this development, that quickly affect the plants and animals that are within the mangrove forests.

5. Charcoal and Lumber Industries
Another use from the mangrove forests is for its wood. Trees are being cut down for the use of the surrounding communities as building material, fencing, and fuel. Similar to fish farming, this industry brings jobs and money for sustainable living. However, this too also affects habitat loss and the decline in biodiversity.