Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Global mangrove cover grew 477 square kilometers from 1985 to 2025
Global mangrove cover rose by 477 square kilometers between 1985 and 2025, a modest 0.3% increase after decades of losses.
The mapping assessment tracked changes across 108 countries using satellite images and machine learning.
India recorded the largest increase, adding 1,180 square kilometers, while Australia, Pakistan, Senegal and the Philippines also gained mangroves.
Indonesia had the largest net loss, followed by Myanmar, Malaysia, Nigeria and Cuba, with land conversion, pollution and development among the pressures.
Mangroves store carbon, shelter wildlife and help protect coastlines from storms and erosion.
Restoration and stronger protections helped drive the global rise, and experts say community-led work, corporate accountability and enforcement of existing laws can support recovery.
The data also show that trends vary over time: Indonesia’s decline has slowed since 2010, while some regions in the Americas have recently seen falling cover.
Global mangrove cover increased by 477 square kilometers between 1985 and 2025, a net rise of 0.3%.
The gains mark a turnaround after decades of losses, but recovery has varied widely by country and region.
India recorded the largest net increase, while Indonesia had the largest net loss.
Restoration and stronger protections contributed to the gains, while land-use change and pollution drove losses.
The article gives the overall study period as 1985–2025 but also says the mapped assessment spans 1985–2024.
- Who
- Mangrove forests in 108 countries. Researchers with Global Mangrove Watch mapped the changes.
- What
- Global mangrove cover grew by 477 square kilometers, a net increase of 0.3%.
- When
- The article reports changes between 1985 and 2025. It also describes the mapping period as 1985–2024.
- Where
- Across 108 countries worldwide.
- Why
- Restoration and stronger protections contributed to gains; land-use changes, including agriculture, aquaculture and development, and pollution drove losses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Global mangrove cover increased by 477 square kilometers over the period reported in the article.
Global Mangrove Watch began tracking mangrove gains and losses.
A separate study published that month reached a similar conclusion about overall growth in mangrove cover.
The latest Global Mangrove Watch data were released.
- Global net change
- Increase of 477 square kilometers
- Overall percentage change
- 0.3% increase
- Largest country gain
- India added 1,180 square kilometers
- Largest country loss
- Indonesia lost 2,043 square kilometers
- Assessment coverage
- 108 countries
- Mapping resolution
- 10 meters
What people are saying
The importance of tracking changes in mangroves lies in the need to have accurate information if you want to successfully halt loss, protect and restore mangroves
But in the last 5 years we are seeing a declining trend