IUCN Report Warns of Mangrove Decline: 7,065 km2 at Risk Without Conservation

The latest assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights a critical threat to mangrove ecosystems globally. Without immediate conservation efforts, approximately 7,065 km2 of mangroves are at risk of being lost, endangering biodiversity and coastal communities.

Mangroves play a vital role in disaster risk reduction, carbon sequestration, and supporting fisheries and biodiversity. (Note: The link remains the same as it was not part of the banned words/phrases) The IUCN's Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) has for the first time assessed mangrove ecosystems globally, revealing alarming findings. The report warns that the imminent collapse of mangrove ecosystems, particularly in regions like South India, is driven by pollution, deforestation, and coastal development.

The assessment highlights the urgent need for conservation action. Mangroves are vital not only for protecting coastal communities from natural disasters but also for their role in storing carbon, thus mitigating climate change. Angela Andrade, chairwoman of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, stated, *"Mangrove ecosystems are exceptional in their ability to provide vital services to people, including coastal disaster-risk reduction, carbon storage and sequestration, and support for fisheries. Their loss stands to be disastrous for nature and people across the globe. "*

Why this matters: Mangrove loss has significant implications for global biodiversity and coastal communities, affecting millions of people and ecosystems worldwide. If left unchecked, it could lead to increased vulnerability to natural disasters, loss of livelihoods, and accelerated climate change.

In the Arabian Gulf, mangroves have already declined by about 14% since 1996. The IUCN report projects that without intervention, mangroves in this region could shrink by 45% over the next half-century. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has managed to limit this decline to 2% through concerted conservation efforts, including the planting of 100 million mangroves as announced at the COP26 climate change conference.

Efforts in the UAE include the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, which has already planted 44 million mangrove trees since 2020, covering 9,200 hectares. Dubai has also revealed plans for the world's largest coastal regeneration project, which would involve planting another 100 million mangrove trees.

The threats to mangroves are multifaceted. Dredging and sediment removal for coastal infrastructure, disruptions of tidal flows, and sea level rise are some of the significant challenges. Marcos Valderrabano, a programme manager for the Red List of Ecosystems, noted, "Probably the factor that we underestimated the most was sea level rise under the current climate projections."

Globally, more than half of the world's mangroves are threatened, with 50% of mangrove areas classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The IUCN's Red List assessment provides clear pathways on how to reverse mangrove loss, emphasizing the importance of restoration and conservation strategies.

The preservation of mangrove ecosystems is vital for reducing the effects of climate change and protecting coastal communities. As Angela Andrade highlights, "The red list of ecosystems provides clear pathways on how we can reverse mangrove loss and protect these delicate ecosystems for the future, helping in turn to safeguard biodiversity, tackle the effects of climate change, and support the realization of the Global Biodiversity Framework."

The IUCN report serves as a sobering alert of the urgent need for global conservation efforts. Protecting mangroves is not just about preserving a single ecosystem but about maintaining the health and resilience of our planet.

Key Takeaways

• 7,065 km2 of mangroves are at risk of being lost, threatening biodiversity and coastal communities.
• Mangroves provide vital services: disaster risk reduction, carbon sequestration, and supporting fisheries and biodiversity.
• 50% of global mangroves are threatened, with 45% projected to be lost in the Arabian Gulf by 2074.
• Conservation efforts, like those in the UAE, can help mitigate mangrove loss and protect ecosystems.
• Protecting mangroves is crucial for reducing climate change effects and preserving global biodiversity.