Mangrove forests are wetland ecosystems that are indispensable allies in our efforts to halt biodiversity loss and climate change. They provide critical habitat for more than 1,500 plant and animal species, of which about 15% are threatened with extinction including several species of sharks and birds. Their sturdy roots act as natural barriers against storm surges and studies suggest that mangroves and coastal wetlands annually sequester carbon at a rate ten times greater than mature tropical forests. They also store up to five times more carbon per equivalent area than tropical forests.
Despite their importance, mangroves worldwide are disappearing due to aquaculture expansion, oil palm plantations and rice cultivation, all exacerbated by climate change.
A theme of IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 is "Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action," emphasizing the need for transformative, scalable, and climate-resilient approaches to conservation. In line with this theme, Wetlands International, a Member of IUCN, is co-sponsoring a motion at the Congress to prioritise wetland conservation and restoration to tackle the dual climate and biodiversity crises.
One notable initiative embodying this motion is the Mangrove Breakthrough, which aims to secure the future of 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030 through a USD 4 billion investment.
Globally, over 800,000 hectares of degraded former mangrove areas are suitable for restoration. Yet many efforts still rely on traditional mass monoculture planting, despite research showing that nearly 80% of planting efforts fail or result in weak, stunted forests. Successful restoration must tackle the underlying causes of mangrove loss, remove stressors, and promote natural regeneration wherever possible.
Wetlands International therefore adopted a more effective and science-based approach known as Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) in its projects. This method focuses on reinstating favourable hydrology, soil chemistry, and sedimentary conditions and ensuring connectivity to other coastal ecosystems. When these conditions are in place, mangrove seeds are naturally carried in by the tides and settle in the right locations. Only in specific cases does CBEMR involve strategic planting to enrich the natural regeneration process. Care is taken to always avoid planting in non-mangrove habitats (such as mudflats). When mangroves are planted in mudflats or seagrass beds for example, they destroy and displace vital species and undermining the very goals of conservation.
Importantly, CBEMR places local communities at the heart of restoration, so they can steward the mangroves. By engaging them from the outset, securing their land-use rights and creating sustainable livelihoods, restoration efforts become more inclusive, equitable and effective. While natural regeneration may take longer than planting, the resulting mangroves are more productive and diverse, providing stronger coastal protection, better habitats for fish and crustaceans and deliver long-term climate and biodiversity benefits.
Find out more about this method in a four-part animated video series available in five languages.
Wetlands International is actively promoting and implementing CBEMR in Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, the Philippines and Indonesia, demonstrating its success and scalability for other countries. Here, and in other countries we work closely with partners from the Global Mangrove Alliance to reach scope and foster exchange of knowledge and experience.
Innovative technologies such as remote sensing and geospatial platforms like Global Mangrove Watch also play a crucial role in monitoring and management. These tools enable policymakers and conservationists to track deforestation trends, identify priority areas for conservation and restoration, and measure the long-term success of interventions.
Achieving global goals for climate and biodiversity requires a multifaceted approach that blends cutting-edge science, traditional knowledge, community empowerment and digital innovation. By investing in proven solutions like CBEMR, we can ensure the resilience of mangrove ecosystems and the wellbeing of the millions of people who rely on them.