Mangrove Ecosystems: Importance, Threats and Opportunities for Restoration
Abstract
Mangroves are crucial for biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, and supporting local livelihoods. Mangroves may also protect coasts from storms and rising sea levels and can play a major role in climate mitigation. Threats to their health include activities such as infrastructural development, urban encroachment, aquaculture and crop farming, and oil and gas exploration. We review the threats and opportunities for the restoration of mangrove ecosystems on the coasts of Africa, which are highly impacted by oil spills. The most important challenge for mangrove restoration identified in this review is the restoration of appropriate hydrologic and salinity regimes prior to natural recruitment or the active planting of propagules.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Biological Research and Disease Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Water
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 787–787
- Publication date
- 26 March 2026
- Language
- EN