Climate Change Threats to Mangrove Ecosystems

Climate Change Threats to Mangrove Ecosystems

The Importance of Mangroves and How Climate Change is Threatening Them

Mangroves are coastal trees that grow in salty water. The mangrove tree is an evergreen with several salt-tolerant species found in many parts of the world including South America, Central America, Western Africa, Eastern Africa and Asia. They can be found in oceans as well as landlocked seas such as the Black Sea or Red Sea. The Mangrove ecosystems are a vital part of our planet, providing protection against storms. Rising air and water temperatures could harm these vital ecosystems, making them less resilient and more vulnerable to damage during extreme weather events (Alongi, 2014).