Mangrove forests are an ecosystem of trees and shrubs, which grow in salt water along the coast. The forests can be recognized by the fact that the trees have large roots, the trees’ large roots that wind down into the water. They have been threatened for years, but this is about to change. In the past, large amounts of mangroves were felled to make way for shrimp farming, harbors and tourist hotels. But a new report states that the loss rate over the past 12 years has fallen drastically, in fact by as much as 80 per cent. The report is published by the organization Global Mangrove Alliance, which works to preserve and replant mangroves. And it goes forward. On average, only 66 square kilometers of mangroves are now felled annually worldwide. – Over the past 15 years, the team has succeeded in finding the most common reasons for felling mangroves, says Sofie Tind Nielsen, who is senior advisor for forests at the environmental organization WWF Verdens Naturfond, which is a member of the Global Mangrove Alliance. In this way, for example, it has been possible to stop permits for the construction and installation of new shrimp farming facilities in mangrove areas, she explains. At the same time, replanting projects globally have raised around half of what was felled. Today, mangroves grow globally on 147,000 square kilometers, of which 40 percent are in protected areas. They grow in tropical and subtropical areas in countries such as China, Indonesia and Bangladesh, but also in Africa, Australia and South America. – The future looks better because we have recognized the value of the mangrove forest, says Sofie Tind Nielsen. Mangrove forests are important for both biodiversity, coastal protection and climate. They store four times more CO2 than normal forests, since the ecosystem stores CO2 under the water. At the same time, the mangrove forests’ enormous root networks house large quantities of fish, shrimps and shellfish. And because they grow along the coast, they therefore also act as dams, which protect against storm surges and tsunamis. So despite covering a relatively small area, they have enormous potential. The benefits of the forests The mangroves are indispensable when it comes to storing CO2. The Global Mangrove Alliance estimates that the world’s mangrove forests sequester almost 23 billion tonnes of CO2. This means that if you cut down all the world’s mangroves, it would be equivalent to burning 52 billion barrels of oil. In addition to absorbing CO2, the mangroves also protect against the forces of the sea. – We learned that the hard way in connection with the tsunami in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, says Ole Pedersen, who is a freshwater biologist and professor at the University of Copenhagen. He talks about the huge tsunami that claimed 250,000 victims in 11 different countries. – Most people remember Thailand, but in reality it was far more difficult beyond Sumatra. And the main reason was that the mangrove had been felled, and therefore did not function as protection. Therefore, the tidal wave could continue several kilometers inland, he explains. In fact, mangroves prevent more than $65 billion worth of property damage each year. Also, because the forests grow in the water, the roots are also a good place for the fish to breed, hide and find food, as algae grows on the roots. – The roots They are like a fish nursery, says Sofie Tind Nielsen. When mangrove forests are planted, the population of both fish, crustaceans and molluscs increases, she explains. Hope for more conservation But despite the mangrove trees’ good qualities, parts of them are still felled – just much more slowly than before. – It is mainly in Southeast Asia that the mangroves are disappearing, says Sofie Tind Nielsen. Some areas are drained and converted to agriculture or simply felled to get timber and fuel, she explains. Therefore, the Global Mangrove Alliance, in collaboration with the UN, has drawn up recommendations on how the mangrove forests should be preserved. They propose doubling the proportion of protected mangrove forests from 40 to 80 percent before 2030. But the work to protect the mangroves is far from complete. – It is important to support civil society organizations and NGOs that work with replanting, says Ole Pedersen. He also points out that climate policy in the coming years is also crucial. Because even if man has succeeded in reversing the development, it is not enough to stop the felling of the mangrove forests. Even more new forests must also be planted than those that have already been planted. – But a lot has really happened in the last ten years in this area, says Sofie Tind Nielsen. – There is still hope.
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Tsunami dams, living CO2 stores and fish nurseries: – We have recognized the value of the mangrove forest
