Source: “Daily Sun” News, Bangladesh, 11 Feb., 2016 Fig.1 What sustains the world’s biggest single mangrove forest: the Sundarbans of Bangladesh? Is it biodiversity? Although we do not yet. fully know the structure and function of the Sundardbans food web, If this forest can sustain the Irawaddy dolphins and Tigers we would be wise to assume that mangrove forest biodiversity does matter a lot. Here we return to our central question mentioned above, what do species do in and for ecosystems? Clearly, while most surviving mangrove ecosystems world-wide are dominated by a few tree species, this should not deflect us from keeping the currently uncommon species in focus, especially when opportunities for eco-restoration present themselves. Recently, Tangah et. al. (2012) used a more ecosystem-oriented approach to mangrove forest restoration in a degraded habitat by applying a cluster planting technique using three true mangroves (Avicennia alba, Ceriops tagal and Xylocarpus granatum) and one associate (Aglaia cucullata) in Sabah. Good success was the welcome outcome and it was found that this cluster was able to serve as habitat and forage for important mangrove food chain species such as proboscis monkeys and fireflies. 4.2 Natural vs Human-assisted mangrove regeneration! As mentioned, we live today in the age of eco-restoration and the need for humans to work with natural ecosystems. Applied to mangrove biodiversity there are many considerations which indicate that mangroves could benefit from our help (Maxwell, 1995; Primavera et. al., 2012). These range f rom the management of natural challenges to mangrove succession such as the 76 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
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