A Perishing Wonder

The Protectors of Our Coasts

Imagine guardian trees that grow on the coast, defending people and nature from storms, floods, pollution, and so much more. This seems like a magical scene from a storybook, right? But these fairytale-like trees are real, and they grow along shorelines all over the world. They’re called mangroves, and they are just as amazing as they seem. But they are vanishing faster than we can comprehend. Picture a wasteland of tangled roots, fallen trees, and dying wildlife. This horrifying idea is becoming more and more real every day. But we can still preserve these vital trees before it’s too late. Let’s start by learning what we can do ourselves, and then we can help others to understand why mangroves are important and what they can do too.

Environmental Impacts

For starters, mangrove ecosystems provide shelter and nurseries for a wide diversity of coastal life, including crustaceans, birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, and mollusks. Not to mention, over 30% of all commercial fish species around the world are dependent on mangroves at some life stage (Naylor et al., 2000).

Mangroves also have a significant impact on the ocean and the world as a whole. For example, these incredible trees have complex root systems that trap sediment and pollutants, keeping shallow water clear and healthy for seagrasses and reefs. Even more influential, mangroves can store up to 5 times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests (Diez & Castano Isaza, 2023), which plays a pivotal role in stopping climate change in its tracks.

Effects on People

Mangroves not only affect nature, but also make a monumental contribution to society, whether we know it or not. To realize how much we take mangroves for granted, we need to understand just how crucial they are to preventing harm in coastal communities. According to The Nature Conservancy, mangroves in Florida reduced flood damage from Hurricane Irma by $1.5 billion, and protected over 600,000 people. Numbers alone can’t depict how much coastal communities need mangroves in so many ways. It’s hard to believe that one kind of saltwater plant could save so much. But shockingly, it’s true.

For people who work with fisheries, mangroves are just as essential. A study shows that mangroves support the livelihoods of over 4 million people globally (ZSL, n.d.). This proves that mangroves are fundamental to our way of life, sometimes when we aren’t even aware of it.

Mangroves Are Dying

Unfortunately, we are losing these shoreline marvels at a staggering rate. A study shows that 20% of the world’s mangroves have been lost in the past 40 years (FAO, 2023). This data shows just how urgently we need to act in order to keep mangroves around for good. So what if mangroves disappear? Why should it matter? Well, if all of the mangroves were lost, they would emit the same amount of carbon into the atmosphere as every car in the United States running for almost 20 years (EPA, 2023; MoneyGeek, 2025). The thought of this much carbon being released into the air is incredibly alarming.

What We Can Do

The good news is that you can still take action. Often, it’s hard to believe that you can have an effect on marine ecosystems if you live inland, far from the coast. But there are actually lots of things that you can do to help mangroves, even from the comfort of your own home. For example, simply ensuring that you don’t release balloons into the sky can save the lives of marine organisms miles away. Making sure that any shrimp or seafood you purchase is labeled as “Sustainably Farmed” or “ASC Certified” can reduce mangrove destruction from fisheries and aquaculture.

In Conclusion

Mangroves are necessary to so many aspects of our world, from marine ecosystems to people in distant countries, and we can’t afford to lose them for good. Yet, they are dying faster than we realize. Mangroves face threats from rising ocean temperatures, coastal development, water pollution, and so much more. But there’s still time to make a difference. Research how mangroves affect your life and what endangers them. Then see what you can do to have an impact.

But while all of these actions are incredibly helpful, you alone making these changes can’t save the mangroves that are dying from deforestation and pollution. One mangrove can’t stop a flood, but together a forest can. It’s the same with us people. So to make a real difference, share what you’ve done with your community and suggest changes that they could make too. Because if we all choose to join together and strive towards a future where mangroves flourish, the vision will grow into a reality.