Overview
Much of the surface area of Utila is composed of mangroves (trees that are specially adapted to live in saline, wet coastal environments). Once considered swamp of little importance, mangroves are increasingly being recognised as an essential component for healthy coral reef and coastal systems. Mangroves protect reefs from terrestrial influences, are efficient bio-filters that maintain coastal water quality and many commercially important reef fish species have a life cycle linked to these areas. As mangroves are cleared and filled for	Mangroves on Utila by Sabrina Littee
construction, felled for fire wood and used as a dumping ground for waste, they are as threatened as coral reefs and the fates of both are likely to be increasingly intertwined.

Research

The focus of our research is to quantify how different types of urban encroachment affect mangrove communities. Upon Utila there are two distinct forms of urban encroachment:

• High-income encroachment characterised by dredging and clear cutting.
• Low-income encroachment characterised by a slow gradual urban migration into mangrove forested area, combined with the discharge of grey water and sewage.

Both types of encroachment will affect the nutrient concentrations within the mangrove communities and therefore have an impact to the functionality of the system. This study aims to quantify the health of each of the mangrove communities affected by each type of encroachment, through known indicators of mangrove community health, for example, tree morphology, root communities, water quality and the type and abundance of associated fisheries.

For futher information regarding mangrove research at UCME contact