FAO: Loss of mangroves alarming

20 percent of mangrove area destroyed since 1980 – rate of loss slowing

31 January 2008, Rome - Environmental and economic damages caused by the alarming loss of mangroves in many countries should be urgently addressed FAO said today, calling for better mangrove protection and management programmes.

The world has lost around 3.6 million hectares (ha) of mangroves since 1980, equivalent to an alarming 20 percent loss of total mangrove area according to FAO’s recent mangrove assessment study, entitled The world’s mangroves 1980-2005.

The total mangrove area has declined from 18.8 million ha in 1980 to 15.2 million ha in 2005, according to the report. There has, however, been a slowdown in the rate of mangrove loss: from some 187 000 ha destroyed annually in the 1980s to 102 000 ha a year between 2000 and 2005, reflecting an increased awareness of the value of mangrove ecosystems.

“Mangroves are important forested wetlands and most countries have now banned the conversion of mangroves for aquaculture and they assess the impact on the environment before using mangrove areas for other purposes,” said Wulf Killmann, Director of FAO’s Forest Products and Industry Division, on the occasion of World Wetlands Day (2 February 2008).

“This has lead to better protection and management of mangroves in some countries. But overall, the loss of these coastal forests remains alarming. The rate of mangrove loss is significantly higher than the loss of any other types of forests. If deforestation of mangroves continues, it can lead to severe losses of biodiversity and livelihoods, in addition to salt intrusion in coastal areas and siltation of coral reefs, ports and shipping lanes. Tourism would also suffer. Countries need to engage in a more effective conservation and sustainable management of the world’s mangroves and other wetland ecosystems,” he added.

Loss continues

Asia suffered the largest net loss of mangroves since 1980, with more than 1.9 million ha destroyed, mainly due to changes in land use.

North and Central America and Africa also contributed significantly to the decrease in mangrove area, with losses of about 690 000 and 510 000 ha respectively over the last 25 years.

At the country level, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Panama recorded the largest losses of mangroves during the 1980s. A total of some one million ha were lost in these five countries - a land area comparable to Jamaica. In the 1990s, Pakistan and Panama succeeded in reducing their rate of mangrove loss. Conversely, Viet Nam, Malaysia and Madagascar suffered increased clearing and moved into the top five countries with major area losses in the 1990s and 2000-2005.

FAO cited high population pressure, the large-scale conversion of mangrove areas for shrimp and fish farming, agriculture, infrastructure and tourism, as well as pollution and natural disasters as the major causes for the destruction of mangroves.......

Source: Loss of mangroves alarming
Author: FAO

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