A new study shows global mangrove losses have slowed dramatically since 2010, with net loss since the 1980s reduced to about 849 square kilometers. Countries like Indonesia and Myanmar are leading recovery due to stricter protections, restoration projects, and natural regeneration after disasters like the 2004 tsunami and Cyclone Nargis raised awareness. Mangroves store up to five times more carbon than land forests, making this a meaningful win for climate mitigation. Satellite technology improvements have helped detect more regrowth than earlier methods. The proportion of dense, carbon-rich closed-canopy mangroves has increased by nearly 20 percent since the 1980s. However, threats remain in West and Central Africa, especially the Niger Delta, where oil pollution and industrial activity continue to damage ecosystems. Tropical cyclones also still cause severe losses in some regions.
