Mangroves stand as a frontline line of defense against rough marine events and serve as vital carbon sinks, yet they have been left behind. The planet has lost a third of these ecosystems, a warning echoed by scientists and environmentalists alike.
A 2021 analysis by the Global Mangrove Alliance, an international coalition of environmental organizations, highlights that coastal mangrove zones cover roughly 140,000 square kilometers in tropical and subtropical regions. They shield shorelines from erosion and wave action, mitigate the impact of rising seas, and lower flood risk for nearby communities.
GMA calculations indicate that preserving mangroves could prevent property damage exceeding 64,000 million euros annually, protecting about 15 million people. In addition, mangroves trap carbon at exceptionally high rates, with reports noting that one hectare of mangrove stores substantially more carbon than many other tropical forests. This insight comes from Ricardo Aguilar, who leads exploration for Oceana Europe.
Another major benefit lies in their rooting systems. Mangrove roots create habitats for breeding mollusks, fish, and crustaceans, and roughly a third of small-scale fisheries rely on their presence for sustenance and income. Octavio Aburto, a marine ecosystems research professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, confirms that many species could not endure without mangroves.
Ecosystems in decline
Despite these advantages, mangroves are diminishing. The Global Mangrove Alliance reports losses of about 10.8 percent, equating to more than 15,000 square kilometers, between 1996 and 2016. The majority of losses occurred in Southeast Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean, driven by coastal development, aquaculture, and deforestation caused by human activity.
Experts consulted by Efe during the discussion of International Mangrove Day note that tourism development stands as one of the biggest threats to these ecosystems today. The expansion of coastal tourism areas has contributed to a loss of roughly 3 percent of mangroves worldwide.
Mexico serves as a stark example, with nearly ten thousand hectares lost in 2020 in states like Nayarit and Quintana Roo, according to Miguel Rivas, director of Oceana Mexico’s Habitat campaign. Direct losses are driven by fish and shrimp farming, which account for about 47 percent, while coal and timber extraction, logging, and palm plantations add another 12 percent.
Aburto notes that while the deforestation rate has slowed in the last decade, mangrove populations continue to decline. Fragmented, not fully intact forests leave mangroves increasingly vulnerable and their condition urgent.
Extreme weather events
Climate change and more extreme weather intensities compound these pressures. The IPCC estimates show that a sea level rise of 36 to 72 centimeters could erase as much as 44 percent of coastal mangrove areas by 2080, underscoring the stakes for coastal communities and biodiversity alike.
The Global Mangrove Alliance estimates that roughly 42 percent of mangroves remain within protected natural areas. Yet many of these sites fail to meet national conservation standards due to ineffective management or weak regulation, a point raised by Miguel Rivas.
Beyond protection, recovery efforts are essential. WWF experts emphasize the need to connect public policy with coastal communities and local governments to restore degraded mangroves and rebuild ecosystem services. This includes safeguarding fisheries, improving water quality, and enhancing carbon sequestration and coastal defense.
In response, the Global Mangrove Alliance has set a target to increase mangrove area by 20 percent by 2030 and to restore ecosystem services, improve fisheries and water quality, bolster carbon storage, strengthen coastal protection, create jobs, and enhance food security for vulnerable populations.