Expert Laments Lack Of Policy To Protect Nigeria’s Mangrove Forests

A Professor of Environmental Management, Joseph Legend Mfon, has lamented lack of any intentional policy to conserve the Mangrove Forests in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.

Professor Mfon spoke as the keynote speaker of this year’s International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosytem organized by Environmental Advocates of Nigeria with the theme ‘Restoring and Protecting the Niger Delta Mangroves’.

In his address, Professor Joseph Legend Mfon, a global pollution expert, noted that the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is celebrated every year on July 26, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses.

This International Day was adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.

He stated that; “Nigeria has extensive mangrove forests in the coastal region of the Niger Delta. That Mangrove is considered one of the most ecologically sensitive regions in the world. The Niger Delta mangrove forest is situated within a deltaic depositional environment. These mangrove forests serve a critical role in regional ecological and landscape composition, and support subsistence gathering practices, and market-based income opportunities.”

He, however, noted that anthropogenic development threatens the survival of Niger Delta mangrove populations.

Mfon said Mangroves are important players in some of the greatest challenges facing the world today as they provide a defence between land and sea, absorb carbon, contribute to economic and food security, and are home to some of the most rare and colourful species.

He, however, warned that mangroves were disappearing at an accelerating rate, saying that governments around world especially Nigeria must priotise protection and restoration of Mangrove forests in order to fight climate change.

“Governments around the world that are seeking to fight climate change while providing other significant benefits to ecosystems and coastal communities should consider protecting and restoring mangrove forests. Like seagrasses and salt marshes, mangroves are coastal wetlands that serve as nursery and feeding grounds for a broad range of species, storm buffers for communities, and highly efficient carbon sinks—a big draw for Nigeria looking to implement nature-based climate action.

“Yet, despite the numerous benefits that mangroves provide, they are some of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Important to note; that half of the world’s mangroves have been lost in the past 50 years because of habitat destruction, coastal development, and pollution.

“However, despite exploitation, fragmentation, and degradation, no policy has been enacted well enough with the sole purpose to conserve endangered mangrove forests in the Niger Delta region. Although neither federal or state institutions have ratified protection efforts, citizens of the Niger Delta states have banded together in attempt to defend the depreciating mangrove populations.

“Well, it’s no secret that plastic is overwhelming our oceans as it enters via rivers and streams at unprecedented rates. Much of this plastic will eventually wash up into the mangroves (whether it be from the ocean or from land).

“Once mangroves die, it becomes challenging to reintroduce and regrow them in certain areas. That’s why it’s best we try to conserve the ones we already have. This means we need to reduce pollution in mangrove environments, stop oil spillage, don’t cut branches or uproot trees for development, and don’t tie boats to the mangroves,” he stated.

Professor Mfon further underscored the importance of the mangrove forests to include; coastal forests support to wildlife, protect people, and help fight climate change, adding that mangroves can store three to five times more carbon in the same area of soil compared with other types of forests, a healthy mangrove forest can sequester an estimated 2,016 pounds of carbon per acre per year, mangrove forests can keep carbon deposits locked away in soil for millennia, mangroves offer coastal communities a natural defence against the full impacts of storms/flooding, mangroves are home to a wide range of wildlife species from turtles and fish to birds and sharks—and even tigers, mangroves stabilise sediment along coastlines, and preventing land erosion.

“Additionally, during strong storms, mangroves absorb the impact of wind, waves, and tides – thus protecting the land and manmade structures nearby. You might be wondering, what makes mangroves so special anyway? These are the top reasons why mangroves are so important and why we should protect and conserve them.

“If you live in an area where mangroves are present, chances are you might have the opportunity to participate in a mangrove cleanup. These events aim to involve the local community in removing trash and pollution from the environment.

“We believe that any activity that engages the local community in conservation is a net positive. It instills knowledge, passion, and a deeper understanding of our relationship with nature and how to conserve it,” Professor Mfon added.