|
Mangroves once blanketed Miami Beach. As with many
coastal areas of the world, the mangroves of Miami Beach were
decimated in the name of progress and development. Globally,
we have lost over 50% of the world's mangrove forest,
and we continue to lose hundreds of acres of mangrove forest
every year. Why haven't we learned to coexist with our natural
environment instead of obliterate it?
|
 |
Early
Miami Beach developers clearing Mangrove Forest at the site
of present-day Lincoln Road.
The photo depicts looking West down Lincoln Road, circa 1905. |
Photo
courtesy of the Florida Photographic Collection at
www.floridamemory.com
 |
Mangroves
are an extremely valuable ecosystem.
They
act as breeding grounds for juvenile fish and rookeries
for countless birds. Their roots stabilize the shore,
provide life-saving protection from the effects of
hurricanes and trap pollutants within their sediment.
They provide beautiful coves for fishing, canoeing
and recreation. Many coastal fisheries would crash
without mangroves. Mangroves give us a sense
of place.
|
| Roots
of the Red Mangrove acting as a nursery |
Click
here to learn more about Mangroves and
their importance... |
| Or
Click here to download a PDF of "Florida's
Mangroves", courtesy of and thanks to Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research
Institute. |
|
Mangroves, however, are just a weathervance for numerous
disappearing ecosystems locally and across the globe,
from coral reefs, to rain forests, to the urban forests
in our own backyards.
Back
to top
|
|
|
|
