Mangrove is a grouping of plant species that are at the forefront of the coastal part. Mangroves that gather into a mangrove forest, or what we know by the name of mangroves, are the first defense of land against the flow of seawater, which can reduce erosion or abrasion due to tides. There are many types of mangrove.
The following are some of the common types of mangrove plants found in many coastal areas and mangrove forests:
- Avicennia – known as fire plant, which is a plant that is widely found in mangrove areas.
- Acrostichum Aureum – We used to know this plant with the name of the type of sea nails, with a shape similar to a nail plant on the mainland.
- Acanthus – Another name for this plant is jeruju, and is widely used as a medicinal plant.
- Bruguiera – Brugeria is also known as a bare plant, with a height that can reach 30 meters, and is widely grown in thick muddy mangrove areas
- Ceriops – It is a mangrove plant that has a shape similar to a banyan tree with a large and round crown.
- Excoecaria Agallocha – Mangrove tree is known as blind, because it has a poison that can blind the eyes.
Just like all other plants, mangroves naturally also have roots. The roots in mangrove plants are usually shaped like fibers and their type of root can survive in the water. Some trees or mangroves have roots that seem to stick into the water, with a form that is quite unique, so that it becomes a unique thing.
Next is the mangrove root function:
- The first function is to maintain and strengthen the growth of mangrove plants. Mangrove roots cause them to stand upright and support coastal areas, so they are able to withstand waves and prevent abrasion. With the existence of these roots, mangrove plants will be able to carry out their functions in the ecosystem well. (Also read: 15 Ecological Importance of Marine Organism).
- The second function of the mangrove root is as a breath root. Yes, it should be noted that the condition of mangroves with muddy ecosystems tends to be thick and dense causing air to be difficult to obtain in the soil (part of water). Therefore, many mangrove roots are outside the water, their function is as a breath root, which helps so that the mangrove plants can carry out the process of respiration and photosynthesis process well and also optimally.
- So, the function of mangrove roots is very important, because, in addition to supporting the body of the mangrove plant itself, it also serves to support life, because it supports the process of respiration in the mangrove plant.
The following are some of the benefits that mangrove have:
- As a source of consumption
- Living pharmacy
- Maintain the stability of the coastline
- Prevent tsunamis
- Reducing sea tides
- Prevent abrasion
- Prevent seawater intrusion and holding mud
- As a living location for marine fish
- Produce wood for building materials and firewood
- As pulp or paper raw material
- As textile raw materials
- As fertilizer
- Ecotourism location (Also read: 17 Effects of Ocean Pollution On Tourism)
- As a reserve land from transmigration and settlement
- Converted as farmland
Those are some of the main functions of mangroves plant. Given its very important function, the mangrove forest must be preserved. (Also read: Coastal Pollution: Understanding, Causes, Impacts, and Prevention).