Threat to Mangrove Ecosystems
Half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are facing the risk of collapse due to various factors such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has conducted a comprehensive assessment of 36 different regions to evaluate the status of mangroves.
Urgent Conservation Needs
IUCN Director-General Grethel Aguilar emphasized the critical importance of coordinated conservation efforts for mangroves, which serve as crucial habitats for millions of people in vulnerable communities worldwide.
Mangroves: Vital Coastal Habitats
Mangroves, which are trees or shrubs growing in seawater or brackish water along coastlines and tidal rivers, play a significant role in supporting biodiversity and coastal ecosystems.
Risk Assessment Results
- 50% of assessed mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse, categorized as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
- 20% of mangroves are at severe risk of collapse.
Threats to Mangroves
Mangroves face threats from deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction. The increasing risk is exacerbated by sea-level rise and more frequent severe storms linked to climate change.
Global Impact of Climate Change
Climate change poses a significant threat to a third of the assessed mangrove ecosystems, with estimates indicating that a quarter of global mangrove areas could be submerged in the next 50 years if current trends continue.
Importance of Mangrove Conservation
Mangrove ecosystems provide essential services such as coastal disaster risk reduction, carbon storage, and support for fisheries. Preserving mangroves is crucial for mitigating the effects of climate change and protecting biodiversity.
Call for Action
IUCN highlights the urgent need to restore vanished mangroves and improve sediment circulation to help mangroves adapt to rising sea levels. Failure to act decisively by 2050 could result in the loss of significant carbon stored in mangroves.
