July 14: Southeast Asia has reversed decades of mangrove deforestation and is now experiencing a net gain in mangrove cover, marking a significant conservation milestone, according to a new study analysing four decades of satellite data.
The study found that while the region accounted for nearly 60% of global mangrove losses between the 1980s and 2010, it has emerged as a leading contributor to global mangrove recovery since 2010. Between 2010 and 2023, Southeast Asia was responsible for approximately 43% of the world’s total mangrove gains.
Researchers identified Indonesia and Myanmar as the primary drivers of the region’s recovery. Indonesia, home to the world’s largest mangrove forests, witnessed a sharp decline in deforestation after 2005 as pressures from agriculture and aquaculture expansion eased. Myanmar, historically one of the most heavily deforested mangrove regions, has recorded a 10% increase in mangrove cover since 2010.
Scientists attribute the turnaround to stronger legal protections, increased public awareness following disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the natural ability of mangroves to regenerate. Abandoned aquaculture ponds, particularly in Indonesia’s Mahakam Delta, have become important sites for natural mangrove recolonisation.
“Mangroves are a rare conservation success story and an important source of optimism for climate action,” the study’s authors said, noting that these coastal ecosystems play a vital role in storing carbon, protecting shorelines from storms and reducing the impacts of extreme weather events.
However, researchers cautioned that newly established mangrove forests cannot yet replace the ecological functions of mature forests. Younger mangroves possess less developed root systems, making them more vulnerable to extreme weather, and require decades to achieve the carbon storage capacity of older stands.
The study emphasised that preventing further mangrove destruction remains the most effective conservation strategy. Researchers said protecting existing mature forests, alongside restoration efforts, will be essential for strengthening climate resilience and preserving biodiversity across Southeast Asia.