Mangroves, these dense and enigmatic forests discovered on the boundary between land and sea, play a vital function within the battle in opposition to local weather change. By photosynthesis, these vegetation seize carbon dioxide (CO2) from the ambiance, storing it as carbon of their tissues and the soil. What makes mangroves so extraordinary is their potential to retailer considerably extra carbon per hectare in comparison with different ecosystems, making them probably the most precious pure sources in combating the worldwide local weather disaster.
On each coasts of Panama, within the Pacific and the Caribbean, mangroves stretch like a protecting blanket, embracing the shores and mitigating the impacts of local weather change. Since 2020, the Audubon Americas staff, via the Blue Pure Heritage mission (BNH), has explored the secrets and techniques of those coastal guardians, unveiling their a number of items. Thus, Panama’s mangroves have been acknowledged as indispensable allies within the battle in opposition to the worldwide local weather disaster.
To share the knowledge of those inexperienced giants, now we have delivered to life the touring exhibition Mangroves: Allies In opposition to Local weather Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Setting of Panama and curated by the Biomuseo. This exhibit will journey throughout the nation, bringing its message to Santiago, Chitré, Penonomé, and Panama Metropolis, to lift consciousness concerning the very important influence of those coastal ecosystems on our lives, and particularly the significance of defending them.
A Collaborative Effort to Protect Coastal Ecosystems
The exhibition is the results of three years of labor by a multidisciplinary staff of specialists who make up the Blue Natural Heritage Project (BNH). Funded by the UK’s Blue Carbon Fund, managed by the Inter-American Growth Financial institution (IDB), and carried out via a collaboration between Audubon Americas, its native companion Panama Audubon Society, and the Ministry of Setting of Panama, the BNH mission has been on the forefront of coastal conservation.
The BNH mission has been key in highlighting the carbon seize and storage capability of mangroves, their financial valuation, and their significance within the international battle in opposition to local weather change, supporting the federal government in strengthening insurance policies to guard them.
The Mangroves: Allies In opposition to Local weather Change exhibition provides guests an in depth view of how mangroves not solely retailer carbon but in addition shield biodiversity and the communities that rely on these ecosystems, contributing to human well-being and the well being of the planet.
Why Are Mangroves Essential? Mangroves are rather more than simply bushes; they’re full ecosystems that present quite a lot of providers to each nature and folks.
As they discover the exhibition, guests will find out how mangroves offer multiple benefits, as in addition they act as shields in opposition to storm surges and erosion, absorbing the vitality of waves and decreasing coastal harm; these ecosystems are important for biodiversity as they purify water and supply habitats for a variety of species, together with migratory and resident birds, juvenile fish, and crustaceans that discover refuge of their roots.
A Name to the Communities of Panama
Panama possesses the best number of mangrove species within the Americas; 12 of the 65 non-hybrid species recognized worldwide are discovered inside its territory.
“One of many most important objectives of the exhibition is to interact communities throughout the nation. We would like Panamanians, from the youngest to the oldest, to know the treasure that lies on their shores. By bringing this free exhibit to numerous corners of Panama, we search to plant a seed of respect and admiration for mangroves in each coronary heart,” explains Victor Cucalón, Govt Director of Biomuseo.
“At every cease, guests could have the chance to be taught concerning the biodiversity that mangroves harbor, the financial advantages they supply to native communities, and the pressing must protect them within the face of the local weather disaster. This exhibition not solely educates but in addition evokes people to take concrete actions to guard mangroves and guarantee their future,” provides Julio Montes de Oca, Director of Coastal Resilience for Audubon Americas.
An Invitation to Motion
The Mangroves: Allies In opposition to Local weather Change exhibition is greater than only a show; it’s a name for reflection and to take motion. At a essential time for our planet, understanding and defending mangroves is an pressing job.