Imagine yourself walking barefoot towards the sea for a swim and you encounter this bed of spikes between yourself and the inviting blue waters. Would you dare cross the thorny obstacle? And who in the world, in the first place, would place spikes on a nice beach?
But, wait a minute. Actually, these spikes are natural - just one of the many wonders of God's creation. The spikes are, in fact, part of the root system of a beach-loving tree - the mangrove. Single mangrove trees produce around its trunk thousands of spikes not so much as a defensive wall or as deterrent to beach goers but simply to help it breathe. The complex upward root system serves as snorkels that allow it to survive in the inter-tidal zone. As breathing mechanisms, the spikes are also equipped with an ultra-filtration system that keep much of the salt out. As the tide flows in and out, the dense structures trap leaves, weeds and other sediments - raw materials that eventually decay and transform into natural fertilizers for the tree (see my article, "9 Things Everyone Needs to Know about Mangroves").
The good news is that the mangrove trees are probably the reason why that beach is still in tact. Oceans all over the world are starting to advance towards dry land and scientists would tell you that the mangroves are our first natural line of defense against the encroaching tide. And, in any case, mangrove forests often leave gaps in between trees where a human being could pass through and get to the other side without having to step on the spikes (in this case, the beach on the right hand side of the boardwalk is heavenly bed of spikeless white sand).
So, the next time you encounter a spiky beach like this, thank God for the spikes. They're actually guarding the beach for you!
Author's Note: Sincere apologies for a brief lull in my posts. The rider needs to hang his saddles from time to time. See you on my next posts! 🙂
