13
23. Several mangrove medicinal plants widely distributed in the coastal and estuarine
regions were tested for antiviral, antifungal and mosquito larvicidal activities. In
the Parangipettai coast of India (South east coast), 113 medicinal plants have
been recorded. Out of 36 plants, 3 plants showed high anti-HIV activity. The antiHIV activity of coastal population was also tested in comparison with their terrestrial counterparts. In general, coastal populations exhibited better anti-HIV
activity than terrestrial ones. 23 plants were screened for antibacterial activity
against 13 human pathogenic bacterial strains, of which 23 extracts showed antibacterial activity against one or more bacteria. 25 plants were screened for antifungal activity against 6 fungi. All the plant extracts examined showed activity
against one or more fungi. 2 plant species exhibited high antifungal activity. In
general, the coastal samples showed higher activity than terrestrial ones. 11 plants
were tested for mosquito larvicidal activity against two mosquito species namely,
Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti, of which, 5 samples were effective. In
addition to these services, the mangrove flora thriving in the coastal and estuarine
regions are rich sources of antioxidants.
24. In recent time considerable progress has been made in the field of bioprospecting of mangrove derived microbes. Mangrove actinomycetes are the promising
source for secondary metabolites. Novel indolocarbazoles identified from a
mangrove streptomycete present unprecedented cyclic N-glycosidic linkages
between 1,3-carbon atoms of the glycosyl moiety and two indole nitrogen
atoms of the indolocarbazole core with anticancer activity.
25. The vegetative structures of mangroves offer considerable resistance to the
magnitude of natural disasters. Features of mangrove vegetation like presence
of pneumatophores or complex prop root systems, the density of the forest and
the diameter of the tree stems regulate the magnitude of damage caused by
storms and cyclones. The spatial dimensions of the forest, in particularly how
far it reaches inland from the shore, are considered some of the most important
determinants of protective capabilities with regards to tsunamis and cyclones.
Mangroves are also capable to reduce wind related damage from large cyclone,
storms by directly attenuating the energy of wind that passes through there
dense canopies. The dense pneumatophores of mangroves serve as natural
agents of wave attenuation (Fig. 1.6).
India with coast line of approximately 7517 km including the Island territories
has a mangrove cover of 6749 km
2
.
The Indian mangrove habitats may be classified into three distinct categories
(Table 1.6)
Considering the geomorphologic characters the mangrove habitat in India can be
sub-divided into three categories (Table 1.7).
In Indian subcontinent a total of 82 very common true mangrove and associate
species, distributed in 52 genera and 36 families have been recorded (Table 1.8).
In Indian sub-continent, mangrove biodiversity is extremely rich in regions like
Indian Sundarbans and Bhitarkanika. In these two maritime states in the northeast
part of the country, some 36 species of true mangroves have been documented.
1 Ecosystem Services of Mangroves: An Overview
23. Several mangrove medicinal plants widely distributed in the coastal and estuarine
regions were tested for antiviral, antifungal and mosquito larvicidal activities. In
the Parangipettai coast of India (South east coast), 113 medicinal plants have
been recorded. Out of 36 plants, 3 plants showed high anti-HIV activity. The antiHIV activity of coastal population was also tested in comparison with their terrestrial counterparts. In general, coastal populations exhibited better anti-HIV
activity than terrestrial ones. 23 plants were screened for antibacterial activity
against 13 human pathogenic bacterial strains, of which 23 extracts showed antibacterial activity against one or more bacteria. 25 plants were screened for antifungal activity against 6 fungi. All the plant extracts examined showed activity
against one or more fungi. 2 plant species exhibited high antifungal activity. In
general, the coastal samples showed higher activity than terrestrial ones. 11 plants
were tested for mosquito larvicidal activity against two mosquito species namely,
Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti, of which, 5 samples were effective. In
addition to these services, the mangrove flora thriving in the coastal and estuarine
regions are rich sources of antioxidants.
24. In recent time considerable progress has been made in the field of bioprospecting of mangrove derived microbes. Mangrove actinomycetes are the promising
source for secondary metabolites. Novel indolocarbazoles identified from a
mangrove streptomycete present unprecedented cyclic N-glycosidic linkages
between 1,3-carbon atoms of the glycosyl moiety and two indole nitrogen
atoms of the indolocarbazole core with anticancer activity.
25. The vegetative structures of mangroves offer considerable resistance to the
magnitude of natural disasters. Features of mangrove vegetation like presence
of pneumatophores or complex prop root systems, the density of the forest and
the diameter of the tree stems regulate the magnitude of damage caused by
storms and cyclones. The spatial dimensions of the forest, in particularly how
far it reaches inland from the shore, are considered some of the most important
determinants of protective capabilities with regards to tsunamis and cyclones.
Mangroves are also capable to reduce wind related damage from large cyclone,
storms by directly attenuating the energy of wind that passes through there
dense canopies. The dense pneumatophores of mangroves serve as natural
agents of wave attenuation (Fig. 1.6).
India with coast line of approximately 7517 km including the Island territories
has a mangrove cover of 6749 km
2
.
The Indian mangrove habitats may be classified into three distinct categories
(Table 1.6)
Considering the geomorphologic characters the mangrove habitat in India can be
sub-divided into three categories (Table 1.7).
In Indian subcontinent a total of 82 very common true mangrove and associate
species, distributed in 52 genera and 36 families have been recorded (Table 1.8).
In Indian sub-continent, mangrove biodiversity is extremely rich in regions like
Indian Sundarbans and Bhitarkanika. In these two maritime states in the northeast
part of the country, some 36 species of true mangroves have been documented.
1 Ecosystem Services of Mangroves: An Overview