Answer to Question #244402 in Biology for nahhh

Question

According to the Sahabat Alam Malaysia report, more than 50 percent of the mangrove forests in peninsular Malaysia are threatened and are being destroyed due to development that does not emphasize the importance of maintaining the natural ecosystem in the country

Based on the above statement, predict what effect will happen to Malaysia if this problem persists.

[7 marks]

Answer 1

A mangrove forest is an area with high biodiversity with various plant species.

The mangrove forest is also a habitat for various species of fauna.

This ecosystem is also able to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters and extreme climatic events and is our natural coastal defence system.

Mangroves are also carbon sinks. The results of a carbon assessment study found that mangrove trees aged four to 13 years old can store between 7.25 tonnes and 83.35 tonnes of the global warming gas carbon with a rate of carbon sequestration between 1.7 tonnes and six tonnes per hectare per year. Therefore mangrove trees are a unique and natural way to reduce the effects of global warming and climate change.

Therefore, cutting mangrove forests will have massively negative consequences - this will reduce biodiversity, reduce resistance to disasters, and will accelerate climate change.