Mangroves are highly productive ecosystems which provide a range of valuable forest products as well as maintaining estuarine water quality and playing crucial roles in the life cycle of many commercially important species of fish and prawns. But mangrove resources are under growing pressure as a result of population growth and economic development. The demand for wood and wood products is increasing, and the forests are being cleared for the construction of aquaculture ponds as well as being reclaimed for the cultivation of rice, coconuts, and other crops.