Environment★ Editor’s Pick✓ Verified

Mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction

Reported byBBC News ↗·Sourced by Goodlede

What backs it

New scientific study shows that since 2010, the world has been gaining more mangroves than losing them. Net losses since the 1980s reduced from 12,000+ sq km to 849 sq km. Indonesia and Myanmar showing forest stabilization and growth. Closed canopy mangroves increased by nearly 20% since the 1980s, indicating healthier existing forests.

What it doesn’t mean

Growth is not uniform globally—West and Central Africa remain destruction hotspots. Some mangrove expansion may be driven by upstream environmental damage (nutrient flushing from deforestation). Tropical cyclones still cause significant single-year losses. The reversal is recent (since 2010) and long-term sustainability is not yet proven.

Systemic / trendWell established✓ Verified

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