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The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 63  Mangrove Values Mangroves have a variety of values. Mangroves act as a “wood bank” (Figure 4) where they can be cut for fi rewood, charcoal, wood construction. They are also a home to marine and terrestrial animals living in coastal areas such as shrimp, crab, fi sh. The mangrove environment provides a nursery, spawning grounds, habitat and shelter for these animals. In addition, mangroves work as a “kitchen” and provide an enormous amount of food from the dead leaves that fall each year. These leaves decay and provide highly nutritious feed to plants and animals that help them in their growth. Mangroves also operate as an effective and low capital “wastewater treatment plant”, speci fi c root characteristics of mangroves can purify wastewater; they also serves as an “air puri fi er plant” where they can absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. Mangroves also serve as “hospitals” where they provide various herbs and medicinal plants to coastal communities. Furthermore, the mangrove acts as a natural “coastal barrier” that prevents soil erosion and impedes in the path of tsunamis (Figure 5). The mangrove acts as a “natural learning classroom” where coastal ecosystem characteristics can be studied. The mangrove also serves the function of a “bridge” that connects the land and sea and assists in creating the proper balance and functioning of the coastal ecosystem. The mangrove is also recognized as a “livelihood resource” for people who live in the coastal and adjacent areas. As we can see, mangroves are truly natural coastal treasures and provide signi fi cant social, economic and environmental security for local communities and the nation as a whole. Figure 4: Wood from mangroves for fi rewood and charcoal making Figure 5: Tsunami resistance from mangroves at Phang-nga Province, in 2004 Sanit Aksornkoae