Mangrove ecosystem is one of the most specialised and
productive coastal habitats in the world. Due to human interference
in many ways, most of the mangrove forests are on the verge of
destruction and disappearance. The main causes for the
degradation of Indian mangroves are land reclamation, pollution
and overexploitation of the resources. A proper understanding of
this specialised ecosystem and careful implementation of the
conservation measures would alone save the ecosystem from further
destruction and extinction. The present account deals with the
ecological aspects of the mangrove habitats covering their extent,
distribution, zonation, biological assemblage, hydrography and
productivity, and giving importance to their role, man-made impacts
and conservation aspects with emphasis on the approaches for the
sustainable use of this ecosystem to the mankind with special
reference to the mangroves of India
