Deforestation has been a global problem for decades, primarily due to our exponentially increasing population and greater demand for resources. Mangrove forests are severely threatened by anthropogenic manipulation and deforestation because they depend on a very narrow range of conditions in order to survive. They are only found along the coast in areas near the equator and they rely on a very dense and intricate root system in order to keep the land from eroding away. However, deforestation rates have persisted throughout the past few decades despite the known consequences. In 1980, the total mangrove area worldwide was approximately 198,000 km2. In 2000, the total area was less than 150,000 km2, a 25% decrease from 1980. This means that the annual rate of deforestation ranged from 1-3% during these twenty years. A more recent study, conducted by Stuart Hamilton, found that the deforestation of mangrove forests from 2000 to 2012 released the amount of carbon dioxide nearly equivalent to the emission levels in the country of Myanmar during the same time period.
Cultivated land that was previously reclaimed from the Sundarbans
There are a number of reasons why deforestation has been so detrimental throughout the past century. The main reasons include, urban development, aquaculture, and the overexploitation of timber, fish, crustaceans, and shellfish. Urban development and population growth has increased the number of people living in mangrove forests, especially the Sundarbans. This has caused widespread deforestation in order to create new homes and communities for the increased population. Also, the prawn business has caused deforestation, interrupted waterflow, and dramatically increased erosion rates. The prawn business has brought greater financial stability to the Sundarbans at the expense of the forest itself. The growing need for mangrove commodities, including prawns and timber, has forced companies to cut down more forested areas in order to keep up with the international demand. There has led to a constant debate on whether to prioritize economic growth, regardless of the environmental consequences, or conservation efforts on a national scale.
