Mangroves: An Incredible ecosystem for sustainable fisheries

By : S. Gokul , E. Prabu

Page No: 397-411

Abstract
The term mangrove refers to an ecological group of halophytic plant species as well as to a variety of complex plant communities dominated by these species, found along sheltered tropical and subtropical shores. This is also used to describe a diverse group that are well adapted to wet, saline intertidal habitats in the tropical and sub-tropical coasts. Mangrove may typically refer to an individual species. Terms such as mangrove community, mangrove ecosystem, mangrove forest, mangrove swamp and mangal are interchangeable to describe the entire mangrove community. Healthy mangrove forests are key to a healthy marine ecology. The mangrove makes an enormous contribution to food chain that supports the coastal fisheries.

Authors :
E. Prabu and S. Gokul
Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Thoothukudi – 628008, Tamil Nadu, India.