Global resurgence of mangroves offers hope in the fight against coastal erosion

They were once among the world's most threatened ecosystems, but now mangrove forests are showing signs of recovery, according to a new study. Research from Tulane University released on June 4 found that huge losses of mangrove forests over the last 40 years have been almost balanced out by restoration efforts and natural resilience. Around the world, mangroves have been in decline for decades because of industries like aquaculture and agriculture. In Louisiana, natural erosion has weakened the living mangrove population. While human development still poses a threat, the study reports that global restoration efforts are seeing them grow back stronger and denser than before. “The great thing about mangroves is that there are these kind of unsung superheroes,” says Daniel Friess, Cochran Family Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane University and director of The Mangrove Lab. “You think they're not that important or they're just there; they're in the way, but they are protecting our shorelines. They're creating fisheries, and they're a great place for recreation and education, and they're taking up our carbon emissions. And they're doing all of this for free. And hundreds of millions of people around the tropics rely on the benefits and the livelihoods provided by mangroves.” The mangroves that have rebounded are playing a crucial role in preventing erosion, stabilizing shorelines, and providing habitats for birds and marine species. They also help tackle climate change by soaking in carbon dioxide, acting as natural carbon sinks. The study drew its findings from four decades of satellite data. From the 1980s to 2010, mangrove forests shrank by nearly 2,900 square kilometers but have been bouncing back over the last 16 years. This has resulted in a net decline of only around 1% for that entire period, according to the study. This article was provided by The Associated Press.