A recent global assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has painted a grim picture for the world’s mangrove forests. The analysis revealed that more than 50 per cent of these vital ecosystems are on the verge of collapse due to a combination of human activities and climate change.
Key points of the IUCN assessment
- The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) has for the first time assessed mangrove ecosystems at a global level, with worrying findings.
- The assessment conducted by IUCN examined mangrove ecosystems in 36 different regions of the world.
- It involved more than 250 experts from various institutions, including the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the Global Mangrove Alliance.
- Half of the mangrove ecosystems included in the assessment are at risk of being destroyed, of which about 20% are classified in the high risk category.
- It placed the world’s top two mangrove ecosystems – ‘Warm Temp North West Atlantic’ and ‘South India, Sri Lanka and Maldives’ in the critically endangered category, while five regions are in the endangered and 10 in the vulnerable category.
- The Indian mangrove ecosystem is divided into three parts. Andaman and Bay of Bengal are classified as least threatened and West India is least concerned.
- Whereas, mangrove ecosystems in South India are classified as critically endangered.
Factors and impacts affecting mangrove ecosystems
- Major local threats to mangrove ecosystems worldwide include felling of mangrove forests for urban, agricultural or industrial expansion.
- Activities such as development, pollution and dam construction in coastal areas affect mangrove ecosystems on a large scale.
- Climate change is resulting in increased frequency of cyclones and sea-level rise. Changes in sea level are altering flooding patterns and the structure and area of mangroves.
- It is estimated that 33% of mangrove systems are threatened by the impact of climate change and sea-level rise will inundate 25% of the global mangrove cover in the next 50 years.
- If no intervention is made, by 2050, climate change and sea-level rise could result in the loss of 1.8 billion tonnes of stored carbon and 2.1 million deaths due to coastal flooding.
Mangrove Ecosystem and Utility
- Mangrove ecosystems cover an area of 150,000 square kilometres, mainly distributed along tropical, subtropical and warm temperate coasts around the world. Mangrove forests are found in about 15% of the world’s coastlines.
- These unique ecosystems are important for biodiversity conservation, providing livelihoods to local communities and mitigating the effects of climate change.
- Mangrove ecosystems sequester about 11 billion tonnes of carbon, which is about three times the amount of carbon stored by tropical forests of comparable size.
- It also protects 15.4 million people and supports 126 million fishing days annually, providing an important source of income for local communities.
- Healthy mangroves are better able to withstand sea level rise and provide inland protection from the impacts of storms, typhoons and cyclones.
- Mangrove ecosystems are exceptional in their ability to provide essential services to people, including coastal disaster risk reduction, carbon storage and sequestration, and support for fisheries.
Global Initiative for Mangrove Conservation
- Mangrove Breakthrough: It was presented by the UN High-Level Climate Champions and the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) during the UNFCCC COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
- It is worth noting that the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) was established at the World Ocean Summit in 2018.
Goals of Mangrove Breakthrough
- Halt the loss of mangroves
- Restore half of the current losses
- Double the protection of mangroves globally
- Ensure sustainable long-term finance for all existing mangroves
Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC)
- The United Arab Emirates and Indonesia announced the Mangrove Alliance for Climate during the COP-27 climate summit in Egypt.
- Objective: Promote biodiversity and make global efforts to highlight nature-based solutions
India’s initiative for mangrove conservation
- The Government of India has announced the ‘MISHTI Scheme’ in the Union Budget 2023 for mangrove plantation. The scheme aims to facilitate mangrove plantations on saline lands along the coastline of India.
- Under the National Coastal Mission program, emphasis is being laid on the conservation and management of mangroves and coral reefs.