Mangrove forests across the tropics have long been threatened by human development, and their loss represents a reduction in biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide to local and global communities. Most recently, attention has turned to ’blue carbon’ and the potential of mangroves to contribute to climate change mitigation through their ability to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their soils at high densities.
This presentation will introduce the various livelihood benefits and ecosystem services provided by mangroves and describe their ability to be an important blue carbon habitat. It will show how blue carbon has become an important driver of mangrove conservation and restoration around the world, helping to turn the tide on the loss of this valuable coastal ecosystem.