Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Q5. Mangrove degradation transforms natural carbon sinks into emission sources. Explain the role of mangroves in climate mitigation. Discuss how ecological degradation alters this role. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question
Growing concerns over mangrove degradation and blue carbon loss in the context of climate change and recent findings on declining ecosystem resilience such as in the Sundarbans.Key Demand of the question
The question requires explaining the climate mitigation role of mangroves as carbon sinks and then bringing out how ecological degradation reverses this role into a carbon source. It demands both conceptual clarity and application to environmental degradation processes.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly define blue carbon ecosystems and highlight mangroves as critical climate regulators with high carbon storage potential.Body
- Carbon sequestration role: Indicate how mangroves act as high-density carbon sinks.
- Impact of degradation: Show how disturbance leads to release of stored carbon and reduced mitigation capacity.
Conclusion
Provide a forward-looking conclusion on restoration and sustainable coastal management to preserve their climate mitigation role.
