(Maxwell, 2015). The long and impressive history of sustained use and management of Malaysia’s Matang mangroves has provided a foundation for confidence in mangrove restoration, management and wise use (conservation). Chan (2014) discussed the successional dynamics of this Avicennia-Sonneratia forest merging with an ecotone of Rhizorphora-Bruguiera forest. Geomorphology (a physical process), mud lobster (Thalassina anomala) activity (a biological process) (Havanond, 2000) and forestry (anthropogenic activity) have all combined to help sustain a successful mangrove ecosystem. Here overt mangrove biodiversity may be poor but the hidden subtle biodiversities invite more attention. Importantly, the long term success of Malaysia’s mangrove forestry when combined with decades of mangrove eco-repair and conservation in Thailand by Akornkoae, Havanond & Paphavasit and their teams have shown t h a t l i m i t e d - s p e c i e s mangrove plantations are both sustainable and eco- economically multifunctional (e.g. Aksornkoae et. al., 1993; Aksornkoae et. al., 1996; Havanond, 2000; Paphavasit, 1995; Paphavasit et. al., 2004). However, the many eco-restoration opportunities on offer invite us to include more sub-dominant species which display properties such as anti-fouling (anti-barnacle) e.g. Ceriops tangel (Chan et. al., 2015; Chen et. al., 2008) and Kandelia candel (Maxwell & Li, 2006) and emerging bio-medical features as in the case of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Xylocarpus granatum. 3.3 Is Avicennia marina our “A class” candidate mangrove in an unstable climate? A . m a r i n a i s o n e o f e i g h t Avicennia spp globally (Spalding et. al, 2010) with this remarkable species showing the greatest range of eco-physiological tolerance and adaptations to temperature (hot and cold) tidal inundation, rainfall, salinity, anoxia and substratum type (Aksornkoae et. al., 1993; Saenger, 2002; Maxwell, 2015). A. marina also offers hope in terms of this species placing a clearly visible utility on mangrove vegetation: it has multiple eco-economic values. These include its role in human food (Hong & San, 1993); high protein quality fodder for milk-producing cattle at Gujart, India (Baba et. al., 2013) and on New Zealand dairy farms (Maxwell & Lai, 2012); as estuarine river stop-bank, sea-dyke storm and tsunami protectors (Maxwell, 1976; Hong & San, 1993; Aksornkoae, 2004 and Havanond, 2005) and perhaps most attractive of all, as a source of bioactive cytotoxic compounds to contain human leukemia and breast cancer cells (Baba et. al., 2016) together with a mosquito larvacide property associated with tannin- polyphenols exuded mangrove material acting as a mosquito repellent (Primavera et. al., 2004). The recent discovery of the Rhizophora (R.a x R.m) hybrid reported above and the displays of ecotypicity by Avicennia marina and Kandelia candel (Maxwell, 2007) also serves to remind us that biodiversity is dynamic and even in our short time spans is part of a big, holistic picture of pragmatic approaches to biodiversity in today’s world. IV. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: TIGERS AND BIG MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS 4.1 With almost 140,000 ha, we could easily contend that The Sundarbans of Bangladesh is the world’s greatest and most important biodiversity bank for the mangrove ecosystem. In December 2014 an oil tanker carrying some 358,000 L of furnace oil capsized in Sela River near its confluence with the larger Pasur in Chandpai. The ecological impact of this disaster is not yet. fully known but will need to be approached at an ecosystem 74 Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
To see the actual publication please follow the link above