29 Jul Mangroves in Panama
By Natalie Warner
Head out to Punta Chame or drive over Bridge of the Americas, and you will see mangroves growing along the coastline. Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow in costal swamp areas that flood during high tide. These ecosystems are rich in biodiversity and provide many benefits to humans.
Mangrove forests can be found throughout Panama on both coastlines. They extend from the Gulf of Parita in the Herrera province, to Chame Bay; and Panama Bay to Bay of San Miguel. Bocas del Toro and islands nearby also have mangrove forests. Mangroves in Eastern Panama tend to be more developed and have more flora. This is due to the average amount of rain. The eastern side gets 300cm (118in), compared to the western side of Panama 107cm (42in).
There are three common types of mangroves that can be found throughout Panama: red, black, and white. Red mangroves can grow up to 40m (131ft) in height! Two other species of mangroves can also be found: mangle piñuelo, and Avicennia tonduzii. These are much rarer and can only found in Costa Rica, Panama and northeastern Colombia.
Mangrove forests only grow in subtropical and tropical climates, as they cannot withstand freezing temperatures. These forests are easily recognized by their densely, propped, tangled roots. This allows for mangroves to withstand being flooded, during high tides. The intricate root systems of these plants are attractive to fish and other organisms seeking shelter from predators.
Panama’s mangroves host over 30 types of fish in their juvenile stages. Shrimp, crabs, and other invertebrates are some of the many species you can expect to find throughout these forests. Mammals including the crab eating raccoon, mantled howler (a type of howler monkey), white tailed deer, and northern tamandua are some of the many mammals found. Head up to Isla Escudo, in Bocas del Toro, and you may see a pygmy sloth in the mangroves. Pygmy sloths are only found in this area. Mangroves are also home to boa constructors, green iguanas, and the spiny tailed iguanas. Birders can expect to find yellow-billed contigas, roseate spoonbills, and Amazon kingfishers.
These ecosystems do more than act as a nursery for animals. Roots of the mangroves help with water filtration. They also slow down the amount of sediment going into the ocean, which protect coral reefs and beaches. Mangrove forests, in turn, also help reduce inland flooding. Mangroves are often used for their wood. They also play a large part in fishing, especially for shrimp farmers.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists Panama’s mangrove forests to be critical/endangered. Mangroves have been on decline for many decades. Two oil spills, one in the 1960s and another in the 1980s, contributed to a major loss of mangroves. However, those are not the only threats. Deforestation, livestock grazing, agriculture, and aquaculture also contribute to the loss of this ecosystem. The most significant loss, according to the WWF, can be seen around the coast of Chiriqui due to shrimp farming. Storms and high winds can also heavily damage forests, particularly to areas impacted by deforestation. It is suggested that pollution, ships carrying chemicals through the Panama Canal, also negatively impact mangrove forests.
Fortunately, there are efforts being done to protect this vital ecosystem. A law was passed in Panama in 1994, which made it illegal to harvest trees under a certain diameter. This law also required new developments that may directly impact mangrove forests to do environmental assessments. Human planting has helped with some mangrove regrowth. Darien National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes mangrove forests.
Mangrove forests are ecosystems that are rich in diversity. They act as nurseries to wildlife, barriers of erosion to coral reefs, and as rich food sources for humans. They can be found throughout Panama’s coastline. It is important to ensure protect these forests in order to continue the many benefits they provide.