Mangrove ecology is one of the most productive and biodiversity wetlands on earth. Yet, these unique coastal tropical forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world. They may be vanishing more quickly
than inland tropical rainforests, and yet, with little public notice. Growing in the intertidal areas, mangroves provide and supply critical habitat for a diverse marine and terrestrial flora (plant life). Healthy mangrove forests are keys to a healthy marine ecology. However, in many areas of the world including the Philippines, mangrove deforestation is causing to fisheries declination, degradation and dilapidation of clean water supplies, and salinization of coastal soils, erosion, and land subsidence, as well as the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Statistics shows that mangrove forests once covered 3/4 of the coastlines of tropical and sub-tropical countries. Today, less than 50% remain, and of this remaining forest, over 50% is degraded and not in good form. There needs be greater protection on primary or high quality mangrove sites knowing that the total remaining area will continue to decrease. (http://www.earthisland.org/map/)
In the Philippines today, mangrove ecology is declining including the coastal areas in Davao City. That is why this project definitely resolves the continuous declination of the mangrove forest, and would sustain its development.
This project proposal is addressing the problem of the coastal area wherein, as of today the seashore is limited with mangrove tress, and full of garbage. Dirty seashore and lack of mangrove tress in the area (Lasang, Davao City) are the environmental problems, and are the current situation in that area that needs the management of the people in preserving its resources, and to maintain the cleanliness and greenness of the coastal area. Indeed, the environment needs the help of the people in preserving its resources. In fact, one of the major goals of the UN Millennium goals for the environment is to preserve our natural resources, and promote a clean and green environment. Now, with this project, it would address and help in the preservation of our environment.
PLANT FOR THE PLANET: THE BILLION TREE CAMPAIGN
Commit to Action – Join the Billion Tree Campaign!
Under the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, people, communities, organizations, business and industry, civil society and governments are being encouraged to plant trees and enter their tree planting pledges on this web site. The objective is to plant at least one billion trees worldwide each year.
The idea for the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign was inspired by Professor Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2004 and founder of Kenya’s Green Belt Movement, which has planted more than 30 million trees in 12 African countries since 1977. When a corporate group in the United States told Professor Maathai it was planning to plant a million trees, her response was: “That’s great, but what we really need is to plant a billion trees.”
A worldwide effort
Recognizing that there are many tree planting schemes around the world, UNEP proposes to federate these efforts in both rural and urban areas. People and entities – individuals, children and youth groups, schools, community groups, non-governmental organizations, farmers, private sector organizations, local authorities and national governments – are encouraged to enter pledges on the online form. Each pledge can be anything from a single tree to several million trees.
The responsibility will lie with the person/organization making the pledge via the campaign website to arrange for the tree planting. All contributing participants will receive a certificate of involvement. They will be encouraged to follow up via the web site so UNEP can verify that the trees have survived, in partnership with certification mechanisms, such as the Forest Stewardship Council. The website will record the ongoing tally of pledges, and also publish photos and accounts from registered campaign members of what they have achieved.
The campaign strongly encourages the planting of indigenous trees and trees that are appropriate to the local environment. Advice on tree planting (How to plant a tree) is available via the website, as well as information about reforestation and other tree-related issues, including links to appropriate partner organizations best equipped to give locally tailored advice, such as the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). Because ideal planting conditions vary in different regions, the campaign will operate throughout the year.