Hutan Paya Laut: Our true unsung heroes

This article is a submission courtesy of Universiti Malaya.

In Malaysia, hutan paya laut, or blue carbon ecosystems—which include mangroves, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, algae, and coastal sediments—are often overlooked and undervalued. These areas are misclassified as dead or dirty and are less favoured compared to sandy beaches adorned with holiday villas.

However, these blue carbon ecosystems play a critical role in our fight against climate change by capturing carbon three to five times more effectively than tropical rainforests. They store significant amounts of carbon in their sediments and roots, not just in the plants above ground.

According to the World Economic Forum, a third of these crucial ecosystems have already disappeared. Alarmingly, we are losing blue carbon ecosystems at a rate of two to seven per cent globally on an annual basis, which is faster than the loss of any other ecosystem.

This rapid decline is catastrophic, as it not only diminishes our capacity to absorb carbon but also destroys vital habitats for marine life such as fish and crustaceans, and feeding grounds for species like macaques, birds, otters, and even honeybees, kangaroos, and tigers!

Our natural carbon storage facility

The protection and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems are urgent.

If these ecosystems are destroyed or left to degrade, the vast amounts of carbon they have stored over thousands of years could be released into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming.

Research by the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station from an examination of 25 mangrove forests across the Indo-Pacific region found that per hectare, they held up to four times more carbon than other tropical rainforests.

Unfortunately, coastal development projects and activities like shrimp farming are rapidly destroying these vital areas, turning them from carbon sinks into new sources of carbon through development activities.

We are losing mangroves three to five times faster than overall global forest losses, exacerbating ecological and socio-economic issues.

In Malaysia, this loss has dire implications.

Mangroves, which can take over 70 years to mature and host nearly 100 unique species, are irreplaceable.

The negative return on investment from mangrove destruction reflects not only an ecological crisis but also a significant socio-economic setback.

The United Nations Environment Programme stated that the carbon storage capacity that can be lost averages 1,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare of blue carbon ecosystems, most of which is stored in the ecosystem’s biomass, including the mangrove trees and the sediments underneath.

According to The Blue Carbon Initiative, experts estimate that as much as 1.02 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide are being discharged yearly from degraded blue ecosystems, which is equal to 19% of emissions from tropical deforestation worldwide.

Our shield against natural disasters

The importance of blue carbon ecosystems cannot be overstated. They act as natural barriers against flooding and storms, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.

The catastrophic tsunami of 2004, which claimed 227,000 lives, would have had an even more devastating impact without the presence of mangroves.

These ecosystems protect coastal and inland communities by slowing down waves with their dense roots and branches and preventing soil sediments from washing into coastal areas, thus safeguarding seagrass meadows and coral reefs.

In the context of animal protection, blue carbon ecosystems exhibit a unique adaptive capacity in the transitional regions between terrestrial and marine environments.

These ecosystems provide essential shelter and robust defence mechanisms for a myriad of marine species, protecting them from the increasingly severe storms, strong currents, and predators exacerbated by climate change.

Furthermore, blue carbon ecosystems support terrestrial fauna such as macaques, birds, and otters, offering crucial refuge and sustenance during extreme weather events.

The preservation and restoration of these ecosystems are vital for enhancing the resilience of both marine and terrestrial species, mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, and maintaining biodiversity.

Moreover, the cleanup of solid waste trapped in blue carbon ecosystems is crucial for their survival and their role as guardians against climate change repercussions.

Mangroves trap marine debris, protect against storms and floods, and provide resting sites for shorebirds and migratory bird species.

For coastal communities, mangroves are vital for food security and livelihoods.

In conjunction with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, observed annually on 26 July since 2016, we must raise awareness and advocate for the conservation of these invaluable ecosystems.

As we face the increasingly severe impacts of climate change, it is imperative to reconsider our relationship with the natural allies that have protected us for generations but are often neglected.

It is crucial to spread the word, engage with your family and friends, and inform the authorities about the importance of coastal conservation.

Protecting blue carbon ecosystems is not merely an environmental necessity but a critical component of our climate change adaptation strategies.

Akses Malaysia

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