my mangroves

August 25th, 2010

There’s the good news, and then there’s the bad news. We’ll get the bad over with first — recent satellite images have shown that the world’s mangroves are disappearing at a faster rate than what was once believed.  Approximately 53,190 square miles is all that remains of these precious ecosystems. While that number may seem big, it’s about 12 percent smaller than original estimates, according to a recent report from The Christian Science Monitor.  These ecosystems protect both the coastland from storms and young sea life from predators during development. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘nurseries of the ocean’.Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara Kayaking

Now the good. Mangroves are some of the toughest ecosystems on the planet and have adapted to thrive in some of the most severe environmental conditions (areas with high salt concentration and scorching temperatures) – so don’t count them out of this fight just yet.

54 percent of the remaining mangrove population can be found in Asia and the South Pacific, and residents there have long respected these biologically vital areas. Before this report was published, local resorts and conservation groups were working to preserve these habitats.

Guests at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on Sir Bani Yas Island, 5-km off the coast of Abu Dhabi, UAE, pass the mangrove forests that surround the resort upon arrival. Every guest to the island also has the opportunity to plant a mangrove seedling. The Tourist Development and Investment Company of Abu Dhabi committed to plant one mangrove seedling for every guest that visits since the hotel opened in 2009 and has since planted over 1,500 seedlings.  Guests can also make a personal dedication to their seedlings at the welcome center.  Think of it as your permanent mark in the sand.

To fight destruction of the mangroves off Thailand’s Andaman coast, sister property Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa offers kayaking or guided boat excursions through the nearby mangrove forest, which not only support the local economy, but also add yet another reason to protect these vital resources.

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