The State of
the World's Mangroves

Goal for avoided loss: 168km² by 2030. Rates of mangroves loss have already slowed considerably in recent years. This presents an opportune moment to raise our ambition. While we can aspire to halt all losses, our target refers to direct, and therefore directly manageable, human-driven loss. In recognizing that mangroves are dynamic ecosystems, we also draw attention to the possibility of making further gains as mangroves naturally colonize new locations.

Goal for restoration: 4,092km² by 2030. Approximately 8,183km² are considered restorable and we seek to restore half by 2030. This is a deeply ambitious goal. New work by Worthington and colleagues nonetheless shows that there is enormous potential for restoration, both by estimating the restorability, and by highlighting the considerable side benefits for local populations and the global community.

Goal for doubling protection: 61,000km² under conservation measures. 42% of the world’s mangroves currently in protected areas, however, the urgency to halt all loss is fundamental. One of our key approaches is incorporating of mangroves into permanent forms of protection including traditional protected areas and Other Effective  Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), which could encompass indigenous lands and areas of sustainable use.

The conversion of mangroves for aquaculture, oil palm plantations and rice cultivation accounted for 43.3% of global mangrove loss between 2000 and 2020. Natural retraction—changes or losses of mangroves that are driven by movements in riverbeds, sediment inputs, or sea levels—accounted for 26% of the total loss over the 20-year period.

The latest maps on the Global Mangrove Watch, v4.0, use both optical and radar satellite data and the extent maps have been iteratively improved through the incorporation of user feedback. It has become increasingly apparent that many countries lack good quality national maps. GMW v4.0 now prioritizes resolution for global datasets that are locally relevant and the overall accuracy of the GMW v4.0 map is estimated to be 95.3%.

Mangrove threats from human activities are being exacerbated by climate change, especially sea-level rise and more severe and frequent cyclonic weather events. The Global Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems shows that 18 mangrove provinces are threatened, representing ~50% of the world’s mangrove area. More frequent and severe cyclonic storms and sea-level rise, resulting from climate change, threaten one third of the mangrove provinces assessed.

Until recently, we lacked a global estimate of the fish and invertebrate productivity associated with the presence of mangrove forests. But new data on the density of 37 species of fish, prawns, crabs, and one cockle species from locations around the world, estimated that the presence of mangroves annually supports nearly 800 billion fishes and invertebrates.

The clearance of vast tracts of mangroves for aquaculture is well documented. Restoration must be accelerated but many challenges remain. For shrimp, demand will continue. Efforts to reduce consumer demand may help along with new approaches to aquaculture, including integrated mangrove aquaculture (IMA). Once established, the IMA provides both food and shelter for aquatic species to grow and thrive as part of the natural food web.

A key component of ongoing mangrove management is ensuring local communities can be engaged in a sustainable manner, benefiting from mangroves. Where growing populations and diminished mangroves coincide, opportunities for increasing the sustainability of traditional or modern practices may be required, as well as new opportunities within or beyond the mangroves such as fishing, salt production, sustainable timber harvesting, beekeeping, and tourism.

This decade represents our “last best chance” to reverse downward trends in the status of mangroves and it is imperative for the financial sector to enhance its commitments. We have known that a diverse funding approach is necessary to mangrove conservation and since 2022 have worked with partners to utilize the flexibility of visionary philanthropy, unlock the potential of carbon markets, and work with insurance companies to help cushion communities.

Financing for Success

International policy agreements drive global collective action, guiding national efforts and allocating resources effectively. Policies that recognize this include the UNFCCC’s UAE Consensus, the CBD’s Global Biodiversity Framework, and the work of FAO on coastal fisheries management. The GMA prioritizes a presence at major conferences, engaging in side events to advocate and facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and partnerships – essential for scaling up efforts to protect mangroves worldwide.

Progress in Policy

Translating global ambition into local action requires regional restoration and conservation targets. We have identified the greatest potential areas for regional mangrove protection, loss reduction, and restoration. Next, we must turn our Financial Roadmap into a fundable project pipeline to support both short- and long-term mangrove conservation projects. By linking project supply with investment demand, the Mangrove Breakthrough will convert global financial commitments into on-the-ground actions

The Mangrove Breakthrough

Review previous editions of the State of the World’s Mangroves: