The forests, swamps, and wetlands where mangroves thrive are ecosystems of great biodiversity and productivity.
Coastal residents use mangroves for fuel, construction materials, food, medicines, and tannins.
By serving as a buffer along the coastline, mangrove forests protect coastal areas, crops, and towns from flooding during storms, shelter fishers boats, and protect coral reefs from suspended solids. Plus, mangroves control sedimentation and coastal erosion. But a mangrove s natural resilience and value affords it little protection against a growing number of anthropogenic threats, as communities and institutions on St. Lucia s southeast coast came to understand in the 1980s. We welcome your reactions and comments . Improving the management of marine resources and the security of people who depend on them.