BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Mangrove ecology is one of the most productive and biodiversity wetlands on earth. Yet, these unique coastal tropical forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world.hey may be vanishing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests, and yet, with little public notice. Growing in the intertidal areas, mangroves provide and supply critical habitat for a diverse marine and terrestrial flora (plant life). Healthy mangrove forests are keys to a healthy marine ecology. However, in many areas of the world including the Philippines, mangrove deforestation is causing to fisheries declination, degradation and dilapidation of clean water supplies, and salinization of coastal soils, erosion, and land subsidence, as well as the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Statistics shows that mangrove forests once covered 3/4 of the coastlines of tropical and sub-tropical countries. Today, less than 50% remain, and of this remaining forest, over 50% is degraded and not in good form. There needs be greater protection on primary or high quality mangrove sites knowing that the total remaining area will continue to decrease. (http://www.earthisland.org/map/)

In the Philippines today, mangrove ecology is declining including the coastal areas in Davao City. That is why this project definitely resolves the continuous declination of the mangrove forest, and would sustain its development.

This project proposal is addressing the problem of the coastal area wherein, as of today the seashore is limited with mangrove tress, and full of garbage. Dirty seashore and lack of mangrove tress in the area (Lasang, Davao City) are the environmental problems, and are the current situation in that area that needs the management of the people in preserving its resources, and to maintain the cleanliness and greenness of the coastal area. Indeed, the environment needs the help of the people in preserving its resources. In fact, one of the major goals of the UN Millennium goals for the environment is to preserve our natural resources, and promote a clean and green environment. Now, with this project, it would address and help in the preservation of our environment.