Mangroves, often overlooked but crucial ecosystems, are facing a dire threat due to climate change. A recent global assessment conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed that more than half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse, with nearly one in five facing severe risk.
The study found that climate change poses a significant threat to one-third of mangrove ecosystems, with factors like deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction exacerbating the risks. The increasing sea-level rise and frequency of severe storms due to climate change are further endangering these vital ecosystems.
Mangroves play a crucial role in storing carbon, with around 11 billion tonnes of carbon stored in mangrove forests, almost three times the amount stored by tropical forests of the same size. Additionally, these ecosystems provide essential services such as coastal disaster risk reduction, carbon storage and sequestration, and support for fisheries.
The assessment highlighted the urgent need for coordinated conservation efforts to protect mangroves, which are crucial habitats for millions of people in vulnerable communities worldwide. The findings underscore the importance of restoring lost mangrove forests and safeguarding existing ones to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
As climate change continues to pose a growing threat to mangrove ecosystems, urgent action is needed to preserve these valuable habitats and the services they provide to both nature and people. The assessment serves as a wake-up call to prioritize the conservation of mangroves for a sustainable future.