The mangroves as a resource Most people have thought of mangroves as noxious impenetrable swamps full of diseases, and they used to be destroyed as a public health measure, but now we know better. Mangroves are very productive coastal resources that are useful in many ways. Mangrove trees grow well in their special conditions, and, like the tropical forest, they produce a lot of leaves and other organic matter, detritus . Instead of accumulating in the soil, the leaves fall in the water, where they rot and provide food for microbes and planktons. The areas near mangroves are thus often very important for the fisheries.
Mangroves are an important source of food and materials for many coastal people.
Crabs, clams, oysters, fish and other food are often collected there. Even the mangrove fruits are sometimes eaten. Mangrove wood is often collected as firewood, and it can also be used for building. The bark has tannin which has craft and medicinal uses. If properly managed, mangroves can provide timber for construction, charcoal for energy, food for livestock, shellfish for local consumption, and so on.