Central African mangroves
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Central African mangroves | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Map of the Central African mangroves | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Afrotropical |
| Biome | mangrove |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 27,570 km2 (10,640 sq mi) |
| Countries | |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Critical/endangered |
| Protected | 7,261 km2 (26%)[1] |
The Central African mangroves ecoregion consists of the largest area of mangrove swamp in Africa, located on the coasts of West Africa, mainly in Nigeria.
These mangroves are found in fertile rivermouths and lagoons and contain trees up to 45m tall. Most are in Nigeria, with important areas Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea/Gabon and patches in Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, and northern Angola. The largest area in the region is on the delta of the Niger River on the Gulf of Guinea, while others include the eastern side of the Cross River delta in Nigeria and Cameroon, the Wouri estuary in Cameroon, and the Muni River estuary on the border of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, and the mouth of the Congo River. As well as being home to much wildlife the mangroves hold rivers in place, filter the waters and create build-ups of nutrient-rich soil on the banks. Mangroves thrive in humid tropical climates where the sea is warm, and where high tides flood into the rivers. Therefore, there is less on the coast of the Congo, where the Benguela Current brings cool seas, but there are patches here and further south in Angola.
Flora
There are five main species of mangrove trees in the ecoregion: red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), Rhizophora racemosa, and Rhizophora harrisonii, black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), while the palm Nypa fruticans has been introduced from Asia.
Fauna
The rich communities of oysters, crabs, invertebrates and the great variety of fish sheltering and spawning in the mangroves sustain animal life including monkeys, African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), and turtles like the African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis). Birds include breeding waterbirds such as striated heron and reed cormorant and large flocks of others during migration.
Services related to mangrove
Example of services related mangrove services include regulatory, provisional, cultural and supportive.
Ecological importance
Biodiversity
African mangroves are very rich in biodiversity which helps in providing habitat for different kind of species like fish, birds and crustaceans and they also act as a breathing grounds for many marine/aquatic species.[2]
Livelihood
The mangroves are very important to local communities. Many living in the Niger Delta rely on the natural resources for their livelihoods. The mangrove forests in this region also provide a breeding ground for fish, protection against foods, and the sequestration of carbon.[3]
