What are the geographical factors responsible for mangrove vegetation in India? How does climate change pose a threat to mangrove vegetation in India?

Mangrove vegetation in India:

1. Coastal areas provide delta regions with nursing rich water of sea water

2. Tropical region provide high temperature required for growth of mangoes

3. They grow in estuarine of land/freshwater and aquatic ecosystem

4. Area should not be disturbed with port or fishing activity

Climate threat:

Mangroves provide huge economic, environmental and social benefits in form of ecosystem services. As per TEEB India, 1 sq/u invested in mangroves gives RES in ecosystem service.

India has about 5000 sq.km of region in soil mangroves however climate change pose a threat:

(i) They lead to destruction with ever increasing floods and cyclones (more destructive severe cyclone in Bay of Bengal as well as arabian sea)

(ii) Warming sea surface temperature impacts (affects) mangrove vegetation

(iii) deadly bio leads to ocean acidification and deoxygenation with impact on mangrove cultivation

(iv) Rising sea level (due to thermal expansion) affects mangrove area

(v) Marine heat waves destruct the delicate balance of mangrove

(vi) further with climate change, there is rising encroachment of land for food security, which leads to habitat destruction