Catandunganon Mangrove and Mudcrab Sanctuary
The flexible inhabitants of the sea and freshwaters.
Have you ever asked how mangroves cope with the constantly changing environments?
Mangroves are trees or shrubs that thrive in brackish and marine conditions. Mangroves have a remarkable evolution that makes them survive in different environments. They cope with salt by filtering out the salt found in seawater through its leaves and roots. They also store freshwater in their thick succulent leaves. Some mangroves species have pneumatophores, a breathing tube that allows the tree to acquire oxygen when the tides flood its roots.
There are 50 to 60 species of mangroves worldwide and around 35 species are found in the Philippines. In 2010, the Forest Management Bureau estimated the Bicol Region’s total mangrove area to be 24,953 hectares. However, many threats affect the mangrove ecosystem, including coastal development, industrialization, climate change, typhoons, pollution, and deforestation.
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