Watching the world’s mangroves
Mangroves are among the planet’s most valuable ecosystems. They shield coastlines from storms, store massive amounts of carbon, and provide nurseries for countless species of fish. For millions of people, they are a source of food, protection, and livelihoods. Yet despite their importance, mangroves are disappearing at alarming rates. In the last half-century, we have lost more than one-third of global mangrove cover. Unsustainable aquaculture, coastal development, logging, and pollution remain key drivers of destruction. Climate change adds another layer of pressure, as rising seas threaten to drown mangroves that cannot migrate inland due to human encroachment.
So how can we begin to protect and restore mangroves? Global Mangrove Watch provides a great first step.
Global Mangrove Watch is a groundbreaking online platform that uses satellite data and remote sensing to monitor mangroves around the world. GMW gives us a bird’s-eye view of where mangroves are thriving — and where they’re under threat.
The platform offers:
- High-resolution maps of mangrove coverage, updated regularly.
- Historical data showing how mangroves have changed over several decades.
- Alerts and disturbance tracking, helping authorities detect loss in near real time.
- Ecosystem data, including biomass, canopy height, and carbon storage.
And perhaps most importantly: it’s open access. Anyone — from policymakers and scientists to NGOs and local communities — can explore the data and use it to act.
Healthy mangroves act as natural seawalls. They dissipate wave energy and reduce flooding and erosion. They also lock away carbon more efficiently than most other forests, playing a crucial role in fighting climate change. And they sustain fisheries that millions of families depend on.
When mangroves are lost, communities lose their first line of defense, biodiversity declines, and climate change worsens.
Global Mangrove Watch makes this invisible loss visible. It gives decision-makers the evidence they need to prioritize mangrove conservation. Better data means better decisions — and better chances of keeping mangroves standing.
Of course, satellite maps alone won’t save mangroves. Protecting and restoring them also requires political will, funding, strong local governance, and community engagement.
But tools like GMW mark a turning point. By shining a light on the state of mangroves, this platform helps ensure that these ecosystems don’t slip away unnoticed.
The next step is up to us — to use this knowledge to protect, restore, and invest in mangroves.
