Did mangroves offer an effective barrier to the Thane cyclone surges?

Mangrove ecosystems support vital wetland communities of plants and animals. They are characterized by unique species of trees and shrubs that fringe the intertidal zone along sheltered coastal, estuarine and riverine areas in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Mangroves have played an important role in the economy of our coastal population for thousands of years, providing a variety of goods and services, including wood production, support for commercial and subsistence fisheries, aquaculture, salt production, and coastal erosion control. A mangrove ecosystem provides an ideal nursery and breeding ground for most of the marine and brackish water fish and shellfish, and is also important in the daily livelihood of local communities¹. They are susceptible to lightning and hurricane disturbance, both of which occur frequently in the southeast coast of India. The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a mangrove barrier against cyclone, storm and strong tidal waves.