Mangroves of the Galapagos

In the Galapagos Islands, there are four species of mangroves. They are the Black, Red, White, and Button Mangroves. The Black Mangrove grow to 65ft tall and are the most tolerant to salt. Red Mangroves are the most common Mangrove. They are able to grow almost anywhere on the Islands. Button Mangroves are not "true mangroves," but they are considered Mangroves because they grow at levels populated solely by Mangroves and have leaves that resemble those of mangroves'. White Mangroves live as shrubs in areas with very little flooding. Every type of mangrove, including the Button Mangrove, is protected. The mangroves on the Galapagos have less nutritious soil than on mainland Ecuador, so they mature more slowly and reach a smaller height. Because of this, an ecosystem supporting the Mangroves took thousands of years to form. Also, many organisms depend on them. The Violin Crab digs holes only in mangrove areas because of the nutrients their leaves contain. Galapagos Penguins in Villamil Bay depend on the fish that hide in the mangroves' aerial roots.

On March 27, 2007 employees of the municipality of Isabela, one of the Galapagos Islands, cut down countless of 90-year-old White Mangroves in Villamil Bay, a protected area, under Mayor Pablo Gordillo Gil's order. Once they noticed, the park rangers demanded Pablo stop. As the mayor explained that he did not care, his employees continued to cut down the mangroves using chainsaws.

Mayor Pablo Gordillo Gil arguing with the rangers

After clearing approximately 50 square meters of the trees, the employees dumped debris and sand over the wetlands, destroying the ecosystem and preventing future reforestation. Also, the dumping of sand and debris forced the violin crab, an endemic species, caused the violin crab to be considered "critically endangered." Because of this incident, tourists and non-local people are prohibited from going into some mangrove areas to reduce the risk of non-native diseases killing the old trees and also to prevent illegal cutting down of the trees.

Why did Pablo Gordillo Gil cut down the trees? Should the Butter Mangrove be considered a mangrove even though it technically is not? How do mangroves affect the rest of the organisms in the Islands?