Mangrove Ecosystems
Ecological Roles and Threats
Mangroves are salt-tolerant intertidal forest ecosystems found along tropical and subtropical coastlines. They perform critical ecological services: acting as natural buffers against cyclones and storm surges, sequestering carbon at rates far exceeding terrestrial forests (termed "blue carbon"), supporting nursery habitats for marine species, and protecting shorelines from erosion. Despite their importance, approximately 50% of mangrove ecosystems evaluated globally are now classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. In India, South India's mangrove ecosystems are classified as Critically Endangered; West India's as Vulnerable.
- India's total mangrove cover: approximately 4,991 sq km (FSI 2021)
- Sundarbans (West Bengal/Bangladesh): largest single mangrove complex globally; Indian portion hosts ~60% of India's total mangrove area and 90% of its mangrove plant species
- 24 true mangrove species from 9 families occur in the Indian Sundarbans
- Threats: sea-level rise, coastal development, aquaculture conversion, pollution, storm surges, climate change
- IUCN Red List of Ecosystems: Indian Sundarbans classified as Endangered (range: Vulnerable to Endangered)
● Tracked since March 09, 2026 · last seen April 07, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes