Restore Ecosystems - Mangroves

Mangroves are coastal forests made up of about 70 salt-tolerant species of trees, shrubs, and ferns, found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.

They are critical ecosystems that support both local and global economies by protecting shorelines, sustaining fisheries, and providing resources for millions of coastal communities.

From an ocean health perspective, mangroves are key to marine life abundance—serving as nurseries for fish and other species—and to ecosystem prosperity, as they stabilize coastlines and store significant amounts of carbon.

Despite their value, global mangrove coverage continues to decline, with recent monitoring showing further losses. Conservation and restoration efforts are growing worldwide, with more areas being actively mapped, protected, and restored through initiatives like the Global Mangrove Watch, which tracks mangrove extent and change to guide action.

Key Stats

Mangrove Extent

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Globally, mangrove ecosystems have decreased by 27.3% between 1970 and 2019.

Mangroves Data Score

Data Frequency

11Years
Data Quality

Sufficient – At least 2 data points available for trend analysis AND at least one data point in the last 7 years
Geographic Range

100% of global data avaliable
Global Goal(s)

Global Goal(s)

Data Availability

There is still so much we do not know about our oceans.

Join us in filling critical gaps in ocean data.

Mangroves can now be tracked with unprecedented accuracy, thanks to advances in satellite monitoring and coastal mapping.

These tools reveal where mangroves are being lost to urban expansion, aquaculture, and erosion, as well as where restoration and natural regeneration are leading to gains. Global assessments show that over a third of mangrove loss in recent decades is linked to human activity, while climate-driven impacts such as sea-level rise and extreme weather are emerging as major threats.

At the same time, data from initiatives such as the Global Mangrove Watch and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration highlight positive trends in areas where protection and community-led restoration are in place. Tracking these changes not only shows the health of mangrove ecosystems but also provides critical insights into their role in carbon storage, coastal protection, biodiversity support, and local livelihoods. Together, these insights provide a clearer understanding of the current state of mangroves and what is required to safeguard their future, informing global efforts to meet climate and biodiversity goals.

Extent and Change

Explore where mangroves are most prevalent and how those habitats are changing.

Extent & EEZ

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There are approximately 147,359 km² of mangroves globally— 100% of which lie within national EEZs.

Mangroves Net Change

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Globally, mangrove ecosystems have gained 4,103 km² and lost 9,348 km² resulting in a net change of -5,245 km² between 1996 and 2020.

Threats and Risk

Track the pressures driving mangrove loss, from species at risk to disturbance alerts.

Drivers of Change

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Globally, the primary driver of mangrove change (47.9%) is commodity production including agriculture, and aquaculture

Species Risk Level

Globally, there are 66 species of mangroves tracked by the IUCN out of which 3 are considered endangered meaning there's still a strong chance for recovery with timely action.

Species	Status
Acanthus ebracteatus	LC
Acanthus ilicifolius	LC
Acanthus volubilis	LC
Acrostichum aureum	LC
Acrostichum danaeifolium	LC
Acrostichum speciosum	LC
Aegialitis annulata	LC
Aegialitis rotundifolia	NT
Aegiceras corniculatum	LC
Aegiceras floridum	NT
Aglaia cucullata	DD
Avicennia alba	LC
Avicennia bicolor	VU
Avicennia germinans	LC
Avicennia integra	VU
Avicennia marina	LC
Avicennia officinalis	LC
Avicennia schaueriana	LC
Brownlowia argentata	DD
Brownlowia tersa	NT
Bruguiera cylindrica	LC
Bruguiera exaristata	LC
Bruguiera gymnorhiza	LC
Bruguiera hainesii	CR
Bruguiera parviflora	LC
Bruguiera sexangula	LC
Camptostemon philippinensis	EN
Camptostemon schultzii	LC
Ceriops australis	LC
Ceriops decandra	NT
Ceriops tagal	LC
Ceriops zippeliana	LC
Conocarpus erectus	LC
Cynometra iripa	LC
Dolichandrone spathacea	LC
Excoecaria agallocha	LC
Heritiera fomes	EN
Heritiera globosa	EN
Heritiera littoralis	LC
Kandelia candel	LC
Kandelia obovata	LC
Laguncularia racemosa	LC
Lumnitzera littorea	LC
Lumnitzera racemosa	LC
Mora oleifera	VU
Nypa fruticans	LC
Osbornia octodonta	LC
Pemphis acidula	LC
Phoenix paludosa	NT
Rhizophora apiculata	LC
Rhizophora mangle	LC
Rhizophora mucronata	LC
Rhizophora racemosa	LC
Rhizophora samoensis	NT
Rhizophora stylosa	LC
Scyphiphora hydrophylacea	LC
Shirakiopsis indica	LC
Sonneratia alba	LC
Sonneratia apetala	LC
Sonneratia caseolaris	LC
Sonneratia griffithii	CR
Sonneratia lanceolata	LC
Sonneratia ovata	NT
Tabebuia palustris	VU
Xylocarpus granatum	LC
Xylocarpus moluccensis	LC

Disturbance Alerts

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Globally, there were 951,676 mangrove disturbance alerts—remote detections of natural or human induced canopy loss or degradation—between January 2019 and December 2025.

Protection and Restoration

See where mangroves are safeguarded and how restoration efforts are expanding their coverage.

Protection

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Globally, approximately 41.57% of mangroves lie within established protected areas.

Explore Protected Areas

Cumulative Restoration Projects

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Globally, there was an increase of 278 mangrove restoration projects between 1930 and 2015.

For most of human history, living nature was not  given a financial value.

When mangroves were cut down or degraded 25 years ago to give space for development, carbon was not traded, priced, or even considered an asset. Nature was treated as a free good — and as a result, vast areas of mangroves were destroyed without accounting for the hidden cost to our climate, our coastline.

When we lost these mangroves, we did not just lose trees. We lost one of Earth’s most powerful natural carbon sinks. While this platform focuses on valuing carbon, mangroves provide many other critical services, including: 

Flood protection (reducing storm surges and coastal erosion)
Biodiversity support (nurseries for fish, birds, and other species)
Water quality improvement (filtering pollutants and trapping sediments)
Local climate regulation (cooling and humidity control)

Restoration

We know what was lost, but how much can we bring back? Even restoring a fraction of the lost area can deliver major climate and ecological benefits. Mangroves do not mature overnight. They rebuild slowly, year by year, accumulating carbon as they grow. The value of restoration starts the moment we act.

Biomass Distribution

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Globally, the above- and below-ground biomass of mangroves contributes an estimated $1.12 T in blue carbon value and sequesters 21,953 Mt CO₂e.

Value Over Time

Between 1996 and 2020, global losses of above- and below-ground mangrove biomass resulted in an estimated losses of $41 M in blue carbon value and 820 Mt CO₂e of sequestered carbon.

Mangroves are irreplaceable natural infrastructure. They safeguard our coasts, store carbon, and support many varieties of life. Their future depends on our collective efforts to protect and restore them.

Taking Action

Protect Existing Forests

Establishing and enforcing marine protected areas around mangrove forests can shield them from further development and destruction. This involves stricter enforcement of conservation laws and long-term mangrove management.
Scale Up Mangrove Planting

Large-scale restoration projects should focus on planting mangrove seedlings in degraded areas, using native species and adjusting techniques to local conditions to enhance survival rates.
Address Land Use Practices

Reform of land-use practices, particularly in agriculture and aquaculture, is imperative for halting further degradation. Sustainable alternatives must be incentivized to balance economic development with environmental stewardship.

Promote Natural Regeneration

Removing stressors like pollution and improving hydrological conditions encourage natural recolonization of degraded areas.
Address the Drivers of Loss

Shifting towards sustainable tourism, sustainable agriculture, and aquaculture practices that do not require the clearing of mangroves can help prevent further destruction of mangrove ecosystems.
Marine Spatial Planning

Developing plans that prioritize mangrove conservation and restoration, coupled with strong regulations and community involvement, will help ensure ecological resilience.

Community Engagement

Involving local communities in the protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems is essential. Programs that incorporate Indigenous knowledge, promote sustainable livelihoods, and raise awareness about the importance of mangroves can ensure long-term success.
Financial Incentives

Governments, NGOs, and the private sector should develop financial mechanisms, including grants, subsidies, and conservation funds, to incentivize the preservation and restoration of mangroves.
Research and Monitoring

Supporting scientific research is needed to track the health of mangrove ecosystems and refine restoration techniques. Technologies like satellite monitoring and ground surveys can provide accurate data to inform restoration efforts.

Enhance International Collaboration

Global partnerships are crucial to scaling up mangrove restoration efforts. Strengthening international policies and agreements, including commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provide a framework for coordinated action on mangrove protection and restoration.

Case Studies 2

Indian Ocean
Mikoko Pamoja – Community-Led Blue Carbon Restoration

Launched in 2013, Mikoko Pamoja is the world’s first community-led blue carbon project that restores and protects 117 hectares of mangrove forests along Kenya’s coastline. Through an innovative carbon credit system, the project generates revenue from carbon sequestration and reinvests these funds directly into local development—supporting clean water access, school infrastructure, and conservation programs. This initiative is a globally recognized model for how ecosystem restoration can simultaneously deliver climate mitigation, biodiversity recovery, and human well-being. It proves that protecting mangroves not only reduces CO₂ emissions and restores fish nurseries, but also creates long-term social and economic benefits for coastal communities.

Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services (ACES); Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI); Local community groups.
mikokopamoja.org
Extension of the Indian Ocean
Dubai Mangroves - The World’s Largest Coastal Regeneration

The Dubai Mangroves initiative is a landmark project that aims to regenerate 72 km of Dubai’s coastline by planting over 100 million mangrove trees. Spearheaded by URB and aligned with the Dubai 2040 Master Plan, this initiative will sequester approximately 1.23 million tonnes of CO₂ annually — equivalent to removing the emissions of more than 260,000 gasoline-powered cars.

Beyond carbon capture, the project integrates ecotourism, community engagement, and coastal protection. Six pilot zones (such as Jebel Ali Beach and Dubai Marina Beach) will serve as testing grounds for cutting-edge restoration techniques using drones, AI, and satellite monitoring.

By restoring mangrove ecosystems, the project strengthens biodiversity, protects shorelines from erosion and sea-level rise, supports fisheries and food security, and positions Dubai as a global leader in sustainable urban-coastal integration.

URB; Government of Dubai; Local authorities; Ecological research institutions.
urb.ae

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Restore Ecosystems - Mangroves - Ocean Central

Mangroves are coastal forests made up of about 70 salt-tolerant species of trees, shrubs, and ferns, found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.

Key Stats

Mangroves can now be tracked with unprecedented accuracy, thanks to advances in satellite monitoring and coastal mapping.

For most of human history, living nature was not given a financial value.

​​Mangroves are irreplaceable natural infrastructure. They safeguard our coasts, store carbon, and support many varieties of life. Their future depends on our collective efforts to protect and restore them.

Taking Action

Case Studies 2

For most of human history, living nature was not  given a financial value.

Mangroves are irreplaceable natural infrastructure. They safeguard our coasts, store carbon, and support many varieties of life. Their future depends on our collective efforts to protect and restore them.