Global mangrove cover - vegetation vital to tackling climate change - has increased over the past 40 years, despite significant losses in some key regions, according to new analysis.
The research by experts at Aberystwyth University, as part of the Global Mangrove Watch, found a net gain of 47,720 hectares of mangrove cover worldwide between 1985 and 2025.
The newly launched and detailed maps show changes in mangrove cover over four decades. Developed through an international collaboration, they were produced using satellite data and advanced analysis techniques to track areas of mangrove loss, recovery and stability.
Scientists have given the news a cautious welcome. Mangroves are among the world’s most important coastal ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, protecting coastal communities from storms and sea-level rise, sustaining livelihoods and storing significant amounts of carbon.
However, the overall rise in mangrove cover masks major declines in some countries. Indonesia, home to the world’s largest area of mangroves, has lost 2,044 km² of mangrove cover since 1985, while Myanmar, Malaysia and Nigeria have also recorded significant declines.
Dr Pete Bunting, Reader in Remote Sensing in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, whose research has contributed to the development of the Global Mangrove Watch, said:
“The latest Global Mangrove Watch update gives us a much clearer picture of how mangrove ecosystems are changing around the world. The overall increase in mangrove cover is encouraging, but it also shows that progress is uneven, with some regions continuing to experience significant losses. The findings also highlight the complexity of mangrove change, with gains in some areas linked to both restoration efforts and natural processes.”
The latest update to the Global Mangrove Watch mapping, known as GMW v4.1, uses improved satellite imagery and machine learning techniques to provide more detailed and accurate information about where mangroves are being lost, recovering or remaining stable. The Global Mangrove Watch mapping can be viewed online at https://www.globalmangrovewatch.org .
This information will help researchers, conservation organisations and policymakers better understand changes in mangrove ecosystems and support efforts to protect and restore them.
Dr Bunting added:
“Reliable information about mangroves is essential for understanding what is driving these changes and for supporting effective conservation. The improved mapping capabilities of the Global Mangrove Watch help identify where conservation efforts can have the greatest impact.”