What is a Kulhi?
Mangroves depressions or Kulhi, protect coastline from erosion, provide a breeding ground for crustaceans and fish. Milk fish is the common fish found in fresh water dominated mangroves swamps, on which the local population depends on as a staple food when the sea is rough and tuna and other pelagic fish is scare.
How many mangroves are in Maldives?
15 mangrove
MANGROVE FOREST The Maldives Atolls support an astounding 15 mangrove plant species of the 17 species reported from atolls in the Indian Ocean.
Why are mangroves important?
Importance and uses Mangroves contribute many environmental benefits to coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Mangroves also provide habitat and food for migratory birds, estuarine and coastal fish species, molluscs and crustaceans, and serve as nurseries for commercial industries such as prawn farming.
Where in Maldives can you find kulhi?
Kendhikulhudhoo is located at 5° 56′ 58″N degree of latitude and 73° 25’00’E degree of longitude. The island has an area of 2.06 km2 (0.80 sq mi) with a length of 4.92 km (3.06 mi) and width of 0.51 km (0.32 mi). The geography of Kendhikulhudhoo is unique with six mangrove areas locally known as “kulhi” in the island.
What is a mangrove Atoll?
“Mangrove islands” is a descriptive term applied usually to overwash banks or outcrops vegetated notably by mangrove plants (cp. Woodroffe, 2002). Mangrove islands are a distinct type of island where the bulk of land area, if not all, is below tidal high water.
What is the mangrove tree?
These are mangroves—shrub and tree species that live along shores, rivers, and estuaries in the tropics and subtropics. Mangroves are remarkably tough. Most live on muddy soil, but some also grow on sand, peat, and coral rock. They live in water up to 100 times saltier than most other plants can tolerate.
Are there mangroves in Maldives?
Maldives is a home to 15 mangrove species including the rare Bruguiera hainesii, one of the critically endangered species as per the IUCN Red List. The rare mangrove species was discovered from Kelaa Island in March.
What is unique about mangroves?
In addition to being a marginal ecosystem, a mangrove is unique in that, as an ecosystem it has various interactions with other ecosystems, both adjoining and remote in space and time. Another unique feature of mangroves is that, unlike most marginal ecosystems, they are highly productive and dynamic.
Which is the second largest mangrove forest in the world?
Pichavaram Mangrove Forest
The Pichavaram Mangrove Forest near Chidambaram is the world’s second largest mangrove forest. Pichavaram mangrove forest is located between two prominent estuaries, the Vellar estuary in the north and Coleroon estuary in the south.