Mangrove forest loss is slowing toward a halt, new report shows

[UngulateNerd92]

• In 2021, the Global Mangrove Alliance, a consortium of NGOs, published “The State of the World’s Mangroves,” the first snapshot study compiled from satellite imagery intended to provide an up-to-date record of global mangrove forest cover.
• The second installment of the report, published in September, draws on improved and updated maps.
• The report shows a decline in the overall rate of mangrove loss and outlines concrete actions to halt the loss for good and help mangroves begin regaining ground.

In December 2004, the worst tsunami in recorded history devastated the region encircling the Indian Ocean, killing more than 200,000 people in 14 countries. One year later, researchers showed that mangrove forests confer protection from the sea: They reduced the energy of the tsunami waves, protecting villages near them from major damage.

Since then, initiatives to increase mangrove forest cover have proliferated in the context of climate change, not only because these saltwater-tolerant trees protect coastlines, but also because they are incredibly efficient at storing excess atmospheric carbon.

In 2021, the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) published “The State of the World’s Mangroves,” its first such snapshot study compiled from satellite imagery intended to provide a reliable, up-to-date record of global mangrove forest cover. Released Sept. 21, GMA’s 2022 report draws on improved maps updated to 2020. Broadly, it highlights advances in tools for mangrove restoration and welcomes a sharp decline in the overall rate of mangrove loss. The authors emphasize that more work is needed, however, and outline concrete actions to halt the loss for good and help mangroves begin regaining ground.

https://news-mongabay-com.cdn.amppr...s-slowing-toward-a-halt-new-report-shows/amp/

 

[Pantheraman]

Finally, a habitat that's not losing more ground every day.