Mangrove Forests Are Making a Joyful Global Comeback
A bright new chapter is unfolding along the world’s coastlines: mangrove forests, once in steady decline, are now growing again. A major study from Tulane University has found that global mangrove destruction has not only slowed dramatically over the last two decades, but has actually reversed. Today, the planet has more mangrove forest than it did at the beginning of the century.
The good news goes beyond total area. Researchers also found that healthier, older, and more tightly packed mangrove forests—known as closed-canopy forests—have increased even more strongly. These rich coastal ecosystems are becoming denser, more resilient, and better able to support life.
Mangroves are among nature’s most generous protectors. They can absorb up to five times more carbon than trees on land, help filter pollution and excess nutrients from water, and create safe nursery habitat for young fish, invertebrates, and crustaceans. Their tangled roots give countless marine creatures a place to grow, feed, and shelter from predators.
They also provide powerful protection for coastal communities. Mangroves help soften the impact of storm surges and tsunamis, a service that became painfully clear after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
In South and Southeast Asia, the difference between places that had cleared mangrove forests and those that had kept them became visible in the aftermath. Indonesia offered a striking example, with outcomes varying from island to island.
“Some islands were covered by mangroves and after the tsunami those islands were [still] protected very well, so that increased public awareness about the importance of protecting mangroves,” lead author Dr. Zhen Zhang told the BBC.
The study, published in Science, shows how far conservation efforts have come. Mangroves declined through much of the late 20th century, with nearly 1,120 square miles lost between the 1980s and 2010. But over the past 16 years, gains have exceeded losses. By 2023, the overall decline across four decades was only about 1%—far less than earlier estimates suggested.
“What we’re seeing now is a real shift. Mangroves are now showing a net increase globally, and the rate of degradation is slowing,” said Daniel Friess, Cochran Family Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane and director of The Mangrove Lab. “While some mangroves are still being lost, this could make them a rare conservation success story and an important source of optimism for climate action.”
That optimism is well-earned. Mangroves often grow in places where development pressure is intense. Because they line coastlines and attract abundant marine and freshwater life, they can be vulnerable to conversion into aquaculture sites or coastal housing.
They also do not always receive the same public affection as towering inland forests. Mangrove landscapes can be muddy, humid, buggy, and difficult to walk through, meaning they are less likely to become popular hiking destinations. Yet their value to the planet is extraordinary.
The Tulane findings offer another uplifting sign: many mangrove forests that already exist are becoming stronger. Closed-canopy mangrove forests, which store more carbon and offer better coastal defense, have expanded worldwide over the past 40 years.
At the same time, degradation rates have fallen sharply since the 1980s. That progress reflects the growing success of restoration work, conservation policies, and greater public awareness around the world.
As mangroves recover, they may also be storing more carbon than scientists previously recognized—making their comeback not only a victory for coastlines and wildlife, but also a hopeful contribution to climate action.
This flourishing of mangroves shows what can happen when people choose protection, restoration, and care for the natural world.
