When most people think of forests, they imagine towering trees, lush undergrowth, and birdsong echoing in the canopy. Rarely do they picture the tangled roots of mangroves, standing tall against tides where land meets sea. Yet these coastal forests are among the most important ecosystems on our planet. They stabilize shorelines, nurture marine life, store immense amounts of carbon, and sustain millions of livelihoods. Sadly, they are also under severe threat—cleared for shrimp farms, coastal development, or degraded by pollution and rising seas. 

If we are serious about addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, safeguarding water systems, and supporting human livelihoods, mangroves must be at the heart of the conversation. 

This blog explores the importance of mangroves and shares photographs from 2025’s Mangrove Photography Awards.

Mangroves & climate

Few ecosystems punch above their weight in the fight against climate change as much as mangroves do. Their soils, rich in organic matter, lock away carbon for centuries, far surpassing the carbon storage capacity of most terrestrial forests. 

This “blue carbon” sequestration is vital. By capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and burying it deep underground, mangroves help slow the pace of climate change. In fact, hectare for hectare, mangroves can store up to four times more carbon than rainforests. 

But their climate role extends beyond storage. Mangroves also serve as a shield against the increasing intensity of storms and cyclones brought on by a warming planet. Their dense root systems and sturdy trunks dissipate wave energy, reducing storm surges and flooding in vulnerable coastal communities. Studies have shown that regions with intact mangrove belts suffer significantly less damage during hurricanes and tsunamis. As sea levels rise and extreme weather events grow more frequent, these natural defences will only become more critical. 

Mangroves & biodiversity

Mangroves are often referred to as “nurseries of the sea,” and for good reason. Their maze of roots provides shelter and breeding grounds for a wide range of species—fish, crabs, mollusks, and shrimp. Without mangroves, many commercial and subsistence fisheries would collapse. 

Birdlife flourishes here as well. Migratory birds rest and feed in mangrove forests during long seasonal journeys. Endangered species like the Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans or proboscis monkeys in Southeast Asia rely on mangroves for habitat. Even apex predators such as crocodiles thrive in these brackish waters. 

This biodiversity is not only fascinating—it’s functional. The interdependence of mangrove ecosystems maintains healthy oceans and resilient coastal landscapes. For example, coral reefs benefit from the nursery function of mangroves, while seagrass meadows depend on the sediment-trapping capacity of mangrove roots. Together, these ecosystems form a powerful triad that supports marine life, ensures food security, and maintains ecological balance. 

The loss of mangroves would trigger cascading effects across biodiversity, leading to weakened fisheries, degraded coral reefs, and the collapse of intricate food webs. 

Mangroves & water

Water is life, and mangroves play a subtle but crucial role in how freshwater and seawater interact. They act as natural filters, trapping sediments, absorbing nutrients, and breaking down pollutants before they reach the ocean. This improves water quality for both marine organisms and human use. 

Mangroves also protect inland freshwater systems. By buffering coastlines, they reduce saltwater intrusion into rivers, estuaries, and groundwater. In agricultural communities near coasts, this protection is vital for maintaining soil fertility and freshwater availability. 

Additionally, mangroves stabilize shorelines. Their roots bind soil and prevent erosion, reducing the siltation that can smother coral reefs and seagrass beds. In areas where mangroves have been cleared, coastlines retreat, farmland turns saline, and critical water systems are thrown off balance.

Mangroves & livelihoods

For millions of people worldwide, mangroves are more than just forests; they are lifelines. Coastal communities harvest fish, crabs, and shellfish directly from mangrove ecosystems, while wood from mangrove trees is used for fuel, construction, and traditional medicines. 

In many parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, mangroves support small-scale fisheries that sustain families and local economies. They also provide eco-tourism opportunities, drawing visitors eager to experience their unique landscapes and wildlife. Birdwatching, kayaking through mangrove tunnels, and exploring boardwalk trails bring both income and awareness to communities living alongside these ecosystems. 

Mangroves under threat

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. 

This destruction carries enormous costs. Each hectare of lost mangrove represents not only biodiversity and carbon sinks destroyed but also livelihoods and protective barriers gone. The economic value of mangrove ecosystem services is estimated in the trillions of dollars globally. Yet too often, their disappearance is overlooked in national and local planning. 

Protecting and restoring mangroves

The good news is that awareness and action are growing. Conservation groups, governments, and local communities are working together to protect and restore mangroves and there is growing support for voluntary global initiatives like the Mangrove Breakthrough. Innovative solutions like Associated Mangrove Aquaculture and Ecological Mangrove Restoration are gaining traction. Guidance on including mangroves in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is readily available.

To lose mangroves is to gamble with our collective future. Protecting and restoring them is one of the most effective investments humanity can make—for nature, for climate resilience, and for human well-being.