Mangroves offer $855 billion in global flood protection services worldwide, according to research by the UC Santa Cruz Centre for Coastal Climate Resilience that was included in the World Bank’s The Changing Wealth of Nations 2024. The study, which was written by Pelayo Menendez and Michael W. Beck, emphasizes how important mangroves are in defending coastal towns against erosion, floods, and storm surges.
In contrast to hard infrastructure like levees and seawalls, mangroves provide sustainable, natural coastal defences along with other environmental advantages. The research examined 700,000 km of subtropical coasts in 121 nations with mangrove forests.
Rising Value of Global Flood Protection by Mangroves
The study discovered that as people and wealth along coasts have increased, so has the economic benefit of mangroves in reducing the danger of flooding. Their value rose by $130 billion between 1996 and 2010 and by a further $502 billion between 2010 and 2020.
The need for mangroves as flood buffers has increased as more infrastructure and people depend on their protection, even if shrimp aquaculture and coastal development have reduced the amount of mangrove cover. Menendez said, “The results are clear: Mangroves play a critical role in reducing flood risks and should be viewed as valuable natural assets.” The study highlights how global flood protection relies significantly on maintaining these ecosystems.
Nations, including China, Vietnam, Australia, the United States, and India, were found to be the main recipients of mangrove protective services.
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Economic and Environmental Imperatives for Conservation
Mangroves are becoming more and more important for enhancing coastal resilience as storm frequency and intensity increase due to climate change. The study highlights how incorporating mangrove habitats into climate adaptation plans is both environmentally and economically feasible.
In addition to being beneficial for the ecology, protecting and restoring mangroves is also a wise financial decision, said Michael W. Beck.
According to the findings, mangrove conservation and restoration should be given top priority as long-term, financially viable ways to reduce climate risks while preserving biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.
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