Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol April 25 (PIA) --Emphasizing the dire need
to rehabilitate the mangrove areas which the earthquake of 2013 ruined, the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) marked Earth Day April
22 by planting 7,700 mangrove propagules in two areas in Bohol.
In Moalong Loon, the DENR led in planting 2,700 propagules in an
early morning activity April 23 while along with the local government unit
of Dimiao, Bohol DENR also went to plant as much as 5,000 mangrove
propagules with town volunteers.
"We are doing this considering the effects of climate change
and mangroves insulate communities from storm surges and waves
brought by high seas," explained Cora Colarines at the recent Kapihan sa
PIA.
Colarines added the DENR spearheaded this year's Earth
Day which adopted the theme: Earth Day Every day, Everywhere, Everyone,
with a line-up of activities with mangrove planting as the biggest of them
all.
Studies all over the world have proven that mangroves are among
the plants that have larger carbon dioxide absorptive capacity.
Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases, and mangroves
absorb these carbons convert them to Blue Carbons significantly
reducing warming of the earth and slowing down the effects of climate
change.
The mangrove forest, marsh grass, phytoplanktons, mollusks and
other coastal vegetation in the world delta are also the natural absorbers of
carbon dioxide (CO2), according to the studies.
Aside from its carbon absorptive capacity mangrove flats also
hold soil erosion quite efficiently trapping run-off soil and significantly
increasing land areas.
Besides, a mangrove's brace roots and buttresses help trap
garbage stopping them before ruining the sea beds, shared environment
officer Nastor Canda in a previous Kapihan sa PIA.
The DENR however urges individuals and environment groups into
mangrove reforestation and tideflats rehabilitation to coordinate with them
before starting planting projects.
The government has designated the DENR to determine which parts of
the coastal communities can be made mangrove areas, and thus preserving areas
which are for multiple use. (mbcn/rahc/PIA-7Bohol)