Mangroves and tsunamis
There have been numerous reports on the positive role played by mangroves in mitigating the effects of the Asia tsunami. These are coupled with statements on how the large-scale conversion of mangroves to shrimp ponds in the past exacerbated the damage by the tsunami and related calls for large-scale planting of mangrove greenbelts to protect coastal areas against future tidal waves.
This section attempts to sort fact from fiction and provide advice to countries and organizations involved in the rehabilitation of mangroves and other coastal forests:
Tsunami mitigation by mangroves and coastal forestsPast and current extent of mangroves in the affected countries
Mangroves and coastal aquaculture