Mangrove forests globally show first net gains after decades of loss
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Between 1985 and 2025, mangrove forests around the world grew by 477 square kilometers (184 square miles), reversing a long trend of decline.
The Global Mangrove Watch used satellite imagery to track these changes across 108 countries, finding varied results. India experienced the most significant increases, adding 1,180 square kilometers of mangroves, while Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Cuba all saw net losses due to factors like agriculture, pollution, and development.
Experts attribute the overall gains to successful community-led restoration projects, increased corporate accountability, and improved enforcement of protective laws. In India, the government protected wetlands and used engineering projects like “fish-bone” canals to create optimal growing conditions, while also providing communities with alternative livelihoods. However, the recovery is uneven.
While Indonesia slowed its rate of decline since 2010, regions in the Caribbean and North/Central America which saw gains from 1985-1995 are now experiencing a downward trend, with the reasons still under investigation. Mangrove forests are vital because their roots protect coastlines, support marine life, and store carbon, making their preservation crucial, especially as climate change intensifies storms and sea levels.
