The World’s Mangrove Forests Have Nearly Fully Recovered

The journal Science recently published encouraging findings for the planet, reporting that the world’s mangrove forests have recovered nearly all of the area lost since the 1980s.

Mangroves are vital ecosystems known for their rich biodiversity and the essential environmental services they provide, including carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and storage, coastal protection, and support for nearby communities.

Using satellite imagery, researchers evaluated global mangrove coverage between 1984 and 2023. Their findings revealed that gains in mangrove coverage have exceeded losses over the past 16 years.

Between 1984 and 2010, global mangrove coverage declined by approximately 2,882 square kilometers. However, this trend reversed dramatically between 2010 and 2023, during which mangrove forests gained roughly 2,033 square kilometers. Existing mangrove ecosystems are also becoming denser and healthier.

Despite this progress, researchers caution that threats remain, particularly deforestation.

Source: Science Magazine.