11. Mangrove Guardians — Masmahaa Veshi

Mangrove

Guardians

Mangroves are one of nature’s superheroes in all the ways they support wildlife, people and climate. 

In English, the term mangrove may mean mangrove plants or the habitat in which they live.

There is no specific Dhivehi name to refer to all types of mangrove plants and there are different terms to refer to mangrove habitats such as:

– ‘Kulhi’, meaning brackish water body

– ‘Kandoofaa’ meaning the habitat where the mangrove species kandoo grows

– ‘Faa’, meaning the habitat where mangrove trees grow

– ‘Chasbin’: meaning muddy areas

‘Kulhi’ is the term most often used to describe Mangrove areas in Dhivehi.

Explore this module to learn about what mangroves do for us and why they are under threat. 

Watch the video below to get to know mangroves a little better.

Now you know the basics about mangroves, take a look at the infographic below, showing how these vital ecosystems support a rich diversity of life, help regulate the climate and protect coastlines and communities. Check out the superpowers of Mangroves!”

Amazing Mangroves:
Nature’s Superheroes 

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Sadly, mangrove habitats are amongst the planet’s most threatened ecosystems

Learn about the threats to mangroves in the Maldies in the infographic below.

Threats to
mangroves

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Check out the poster below to know what we can do to help protect mangroves from these threats.

Solutions to
conserve mangroves

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Mangroves

in the Maldives

Globally, mangroves are most often found in river deltas and estuaries, but there are no rivers in the Maldives.

The map shows mangroves are found in small patches across at least 108 islands in the Maldives. Take a look to see where your nearest mangrove forest is.

23 Maldivian islands have at least one protected mangrove area. Find out if your nearest mangrove forest is protected.

***Map of islands with Mangroves in the Maldives***

The Following table shows the common, local and scientific names of all mangrove species in the Maldives.

*Local Name*	*Common Name*	Scientific Name
Kan’doo	Small leaved orange mangrove	Bruguiera cylindrica
Ran’doo	Red mangrove	Rhizophora mucronata
Karamana	Yellow mangrove	Ceriops tagal
Burevi	Black mangrove	Lumnitzera racemosa
Thakafathi	Tall stilt mangrove	Rhizophora apiculata
Baru	Grey mangrove	Avicennia marina
Bodavaki	Oriental mangrove	Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Thela	Milky mangrove	Excoecaria agallocha
Kaharuvah	Looking glass mangrove	Heritiera littoralis
Kulhlhavah	Mangrove apple	Sonneratia caseolaris
Maru	Cedar mangrove	Xylocarpus moluccensis
Maavasho	Upriver orange mangrove	Bruguiera sexangula
Kelavaki / bodukandoo / makandoo	Eye of the crocodile	Bruguiera hainesii
Kuredhi	Ironwood	Pemphis acidula
Thelaveyo	Mangrove Vine	Derris heterophylla
Maakeha	Mangrove fern	Acrostichum aureum
(No Dhivehi name)	White burma mangrove	Bruguiera sp.