Mangrove forests: Nature’s climate and coastal heroes

Mangrove forests are one of our strongest allies to restore and protect our coastal ecosystems and combat climate change. 

Not only are these forests biodiversity havens, they also store 10x more carbon than terrestrial forests. Yet, despite these benefits, mangrove forests have seen large declines over the last decades. At Pangea we are working to restore these vital habitats - with your help! 

Read more about what makes mangroves so special, why they are under threat, and how Pangea takes action to reverse this (and how you can be a part) below.

What makes Mangrove Trees unique?

Mangrove trees are remarkable survivors, and the only tree adapted to live in the harsh and salty conditions of coastal areas where other plants would dry out or be torn away by the tides.

Found in tropical and subtropical regions, these forests cover around 0.1% of the planet's surface (Indonesia holding one fifth of this total) and play a crucial role in maintaining the health and stability of coastal areas. 

The magic is in the roots!

Perhaps one of their most easily recognizable features is their intricate network of root systems that seem to defy gravity. These roots are able to filter or expel the salt, or lift the tree above the water, along with other critical functions:

Oxygen Intake: In waterlogged soils, oxygen is scarce. The aerial roots (pneumatophores) allow mangroves to breathe by taking in air directly from the atmosphere.

Stabilization: The roots anchor the trees in the shifting, often unstable, coastal mud, preventing erosion and maintaining the integrity of the shoreline. These roots also allow the mangroves to withstand tides and storms (acting as a buffer for nearby coastal communities).

Habitat Creation: These roots create a complex underwater habitat that supports a diverse array of marine life, from small fish to crustaceans.

(Cool fact: There are a total of 54 mangrove species of which the black mangroves are able to expel salt through their leaves!)

 

Mangroves are some of the best climate heroes

Mangrove forests can sequester up to 10x more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. This makes these forests some of our strongest allies in combating climate change!

But why is that?

First - mangrove trees grow fast. Due to this, they are quicker at locking away carbon in their wooden biomass compared to other trees (especially in colder climates where trees grow slower); which is an important aspect as we are in a hurry: carbon sequestered today is better than tomorrow!

Next - mangroves excel in storing carbon in their extensive root systems and the surrounding soil. The extensive, dense root networks not only stabilize the soil but also promote the accumulation of organic carbon in the sediment. The anaerobic (oxygen-poor) conditions of waterlogged mangrove soils then slow down the decomposition of organic matter, effectively trapping carbon for centuries.

What’s more, mangroves not only help to mitigate climate change but also provide protection from its consequences.

Mangroves reduce coastal erosion by stabilizing shorelines with their root systems, protecting communities from the impacts of rising sea levels and storm surges. Additionally, they also serve as natural buffers during natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tsunamis. By absorbing and dissipating wave energy, they minimize damage to coastal areas, saving lives and reducing economic losses.

Preserving and restoring mangrove forests is a crucial step towards a more resilient and sustainable future for our planet!

Mangroves are critical for biodiversity and ocean health

Mangrove forests serve as a unique intertidal environment and nursery for a variety of marine life, such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks - and even endangered sharks and rays. Their root systems provide shelter and breeding grounds, supporting juvenile stages of many commercially important species. 

In addition to marine life, mangroves are vital habitats for many bird species, offering nesting sites and food resources, and attracting a diverse array of birds. They also support terrestrial wildlife, providing habitat and food for mammals, reptiles, and insects. 

Lastly, mangroves play a crucial role in promoting ocean health through their ability to filter pollutants. The dense root systems trap sediments, preventing them from smothering coral reefs and seagrass beds. This filtration process improves water quality by removing excess nutrients and pollutants, benefiting adjacent marine ecosystems.

But we are losing mangrove forests at alarming rates!

Despite their benefits, the world has seen a decline of 20- 35% in mangrove forests worldwide over the last 20 years and more than 50% of the remaining forests are at risk of collapse.

The loss of mangrove forests can mainly be attributed to:

Coastal development which transforms and replaces mangrove forests for housing, infrastructure and economic development and activities. In addition, as sea levels rise, mangrove forests need to migrate inland to survive - but are blocked by the established development (known as “coastal squeeze”).

Pollution - such as sewage, industrial wastewater and plastic waste - disrupts the ecosystem functions of the mangroves and leads to biodiversity, habitat and nursery loss. Plastic waste often gets trapped in the root net where it starts to accumulate. These layers of plastic can interfere with tree and seedling growth, disrupt nutrient cycles, and leach chemicals to the sediment. 

Aquaculture, where mangroves are converted into shrimp and fish farms is a major cause of deforestation, particularly in Southeast Asia. 

Especially countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines have seen extensive mangrove loss due to these factors.

At Pangea we are taking action to restore mangrove forests - with your help

At Pangea we are all about restoring vital ecosystems - such as mangrove forests. This is why we have pledged to plant one mangrove tree for every one of our products sold (in addition to also cleaning them of damaging plastic waste!).

In this way, we have to date successfully planted 4,350 mangrove trees in Java and Bali, Indonesia - all thanks to supporters like you who want to regenerate the world with us. And we are just getting started - because our goal is to put 1 million (yes) mangrove trees in the ground - together.

(Read more about how we do this in a future blog post!)

You can be part of restoring mangroves

Hooked on the wonders of mangroves and keen to be a part of restoring them? Wonderful!

For each of the products in our online store we will plant one mangrove tree in Bali. Check out our selection of eco-friendly travel gear to explore more. One purchase = one tree, simple.

Are you in Bali, or coming to Bali? Then how about joining one of our mangrove planting events? Taking action doesn’t get more real than this and all hands are welcome! Reach out to our Head of Impact to learn more and sign up for our next planting session: charlotte@pangeamovement.com

Lastly, consider sharing and spreading knowledge about mangrove trees and why they are crucial to a healthy planet, and avoid purchasing products associated with deforestation of mangroves.

References:

1: Fair Carbon - Blue Carbon Academy
2: IUCN - More than half of all mangrove ecosystems at risk of collapse by 2050, first global assessment finds
3: Energy Observer - Mangroves, a biodiversity refuge in danger