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Currently, wetlands are threatened by many natural and anthropogenic forces, significantly, pollution from land (NOAA). Eutrophication--the overfertilization of aquatic ecosystems--affects coral reefs especially because the algal growth can smother the coral (Jones and Endean, 1976). Oil spills also can negatively affect coral spawning (Bryant, et al, 1998). Direct destruction from practices such as harvest for aquariums, blast fishing, careless diving, cyanide fishing, and trawling also destroy coral reefs (NOAA).
Mangrove Swamps !ellen1.jpg!Source: USGS
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mangroves are coastal wetlands found in tropical and subtropical regions (2006). Mangroves are characterized by trees or shrubs that have the common trait of growing in shallow and muddy salt water or brackish waters, especially along quiet shorelines and in estuaries. These halophytic trees are able to thrive in salt water conditions because of specialized rooting structures (such as prop roots and pneumatophores), specialized reproduction (vivipary or live birth) and the ability to exclude or excrete salt (Lee County Government). In North America, mangroves are found from the southern tip of Florida along the Gulf Coast to Texas. The importance of mangroves has been well established. They support a wide diversity of animals and vegetation since these estuarine swamps are constantly replenished with nutrients transported by fresh water runoff from the land and flushed by the ebb and flow of the tides (U.S. EPA 2006). They also play a pivotal role in the life cycles of aquatic organisms. For example, they function as nurseries for a variety of marine biota, For example, seventy-five percent of the game fish and ninety percent of the commercial species in south Florida depend on mangrove ecosystems (Law et al.). In addition, these coastal wetlands are valued for their protection and stabilization of low-lying coastal lands from storm winds, waves, and floods. The amount of protection afforded by mangroves depends upon the width of the forest (Lee County Government). Although mangroves are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities (such as the damming and mangrove conversions), efforts are underway to enhance the protection of these threatened and valuable ecosystems (U.S. EPA 2006).
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