The importance of the mangroves of Guayaquil
The balance of human beings and their environment is very fragile, each of our actions affects the environment, from deciding to use the car for a short trip or accepting a plastic cover for the supermarket have consequences in nature. Hence, to achieve effective actions on environmental care, it is necessary to raise awareness through knowledge. For example, Ecuador has the privilege of having mangroves that are very particular ecosystems that develop at the meeting of the mouth of a river and an arm of the sea. This convergence of fresh and salt water gives it characteristics that allow the development of unique species of flora and fauna, in addition to providing great environmental benefits that counteract pollution.
The mangroves in Ecuador are found along the coast and amount to around 157.000 ha, the largest area being the estuary of the Guayas River and the Gulf of Guayaquil. This closeness has generated an intimate link between the Guayaquil identity and the mangrove swamp, forming a synergy that transcends the environmental and economic aspects until it reaches the cultural ones. For example, the population of Guayaquil interacts with the mangrove by taking advantage of its products that have become emblems of its local gastronomy such as crabs and are the basis of the economy of local people.
Mangroves owe their name to the mangrove, a predominant tree species in this type of ecosystem, which is capable of filtering salinity and developing in this type of environment, providing ideal refuge conditions for a large number of species. These form the first line of defense of the coasts against the erosion caused by the wind and the tides, thus becoming a fundamental piece for the mitigation and adaptation to the effects produced by climate change in the coastal areas, they are also capable of absorbing and storing CO2. One hectare of mangrove can retain 1.000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Their characteristics have allowed these ecosystems to become a true engine for life, giving way to the development of a great variety of species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, crustaceans and mollusks, becoming the ideal habitat for many migratory birds. In addition, they produce a high amount of nutrients that are transported through the coast by the tides to be used by other ecosystems.
No less remarkable are the benefits that mangroves provide to local communities, as they become their source of resources for their development. The mangrove is the food base of these populations that are in its surroundings since, in these, fishing activities and capture of other animals such as crabs, shells and shrimp are carried out, which are a fundamental part of their diet that allow obtaining economic benefits for their subsistence.
Unfortunately, human activities have caused the reduction of mangrove extensions by approximately 56.396 ha (similar to 2 times the city of Quito) in the last 40 years and have caused alterations in their characteristics and operation. The expansion of the agricultural frontier, urban growth, over exploitation of resources and changes in land use are some of the causes of this loss. If we add to this the poorly managed solid waste that reaches the mangroves and the industrial and domestic liquid discharges without adequate treatment, they place the mangroves as highly sensitive ecosystems that require special attention and protection. This concern has led to around 45% of the mangroves being declared protected areas, while 42% are protected through other conservation mechanisms.
Being located at the mouth of the Guayas River, the city of Guayaquil has historically been related to the mangrove swamp, since even part of its urban expansion was carried out in this type of ecosystem and some remnants of the mangrove swamp are still found within the town. This mangrove system is comprised of several protected areas such as: “Isla Santay y del Gallo” National Recreation Area, “El Salado” Mangrove Wildlife Production Reserve, “Manglares el Morro” Wildlife Refuge, and the “Churute Mangroves” Ecological Reserve. », these form habitats that are refuges for a large number of animals, plants that form natural barriers against floods and other natural phenomena for the city. With the latest forecasts of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), regarding the rise in sea level and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the importance of maintaining and increasing the extension of mangroves is even more emphasized.
