Half of the world's mangrove forests are at risk of completely disappearing

According to the latest survey by an international conservation organization, half of the world's mangrove ecosystems are at risk of being destroyed due to human activities, rising sea levels and extreme weather. .

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warns that about a quarter of the world's total mangrove forest area could be completely submerged within the next 50 years, with ecosystems at risk. disappeared in India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are expected to suffer severe consequences.

Panorama of mangrove forests in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, October 10, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS/Amr Alfiky)

Marcos Valderrabano, who runs the IUCN 'Red Book' of ecosystem threat assessments, said: 'This global assessment shows that 50% of mangroves worldwide are at risk of destruction and the number This is much higher than what we predicted'.

Mangroves cover about 15% of the world's coastline and play an important economic and ecological role, filtering water and providing breeding grounds for fish and other marine life.

In addition to storing approximately 11 billion tons of carbon , mangroves also serve as an important buffer zone protecting coastal communities from the risk of storm surges and flooding.

Singapore, which has lost almost all of its coastal mangrove forests to reclamation, is now planning a restoration program to help protect its low-lying coastline from rising sea levels.

IUCN gathered more than 250 experts to conduct a survey and found that climate change has affected the spatial distribution of mangrove forests. The report says damaging changes to ecosystems are also being increased by the widespread use of freshwater for irrigation purposes.

Mr. Valderrabano said measures are needed to help mangrove forests better adapt to climate change and increase resilience.

'This will be very important if we want to prevent some mangrove ecosystems from disappearing completely ,' this expert said.