The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

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Submitted by examrobotsa on

Q: 76 (IAS/2011)
The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

question_subject: 

Ecology

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,302,140,56,13,71,302

keywords: 

{'mangrove trees': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'mangroves': [0, 2, 0, 0], 'mangrove swamps': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'tsunami': [2, 0, 1, 2], 'magrove trees': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'coastal calamities': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'natural disaster': [1, 0, 0, 0], 'reliable safety hedge': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'safety hedge': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'dense canopies': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'tides': [2, 0, 0, 4], 'excellent shelter': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'storms': [1, 0, 0, 2], 'cyclone': [1, 1, 2, 3], 'extensive roots': [0, 0, 0, 1]}

The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots. Therefore, they act as a natural barrier that can absorb the impact of waves and storm surges, protecting the coastal communities from the full force of the calamity. Mangroves also help to stabilize shorelines, prevent erosion, and reduce the risk of flooding. Additionally, they serve as important habitats for a variety of marine and terrestrial species, providing ecological and economic benefits to the surrounding communities.