Mangroves constitute one of the most productive and valuable coastal ecosystems on the planet. Their presence extends into tropical and subtropical intertidal zones, mainly along the coasts of the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. In the Americas, they are distributed from northern Mexico to southern Brazil, including many Caribbean islands. Despite occupying a relatively small fraction of the world’s land area, their contribution to environmental, economic, and social health is disproportionately high. Below, we detail the main ecosystem services they provide, as well as some of the most representative species that inhabit these environments.

Coastal protection

One of the most recognized services of mangroves is their ability to protect coasts from erosion, storm surges, and hurricanes. Their complex root system acts as a natural buffer that dissipates wave energy, reducing the force of wave impact on the coast and decreasing sediment loss. This function has become especially relevant in light of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events associated with climate change.

Studies have shown that communities protected by mangroves suffer significantly less damage during storms than those without this vegetation. For example, in the case of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, areas with intact mangroves were found to have fewer casualties and less destruction.

Carbon storage

Mangroves are considered one of the most efficient ecosystems for carbon capture and storage, playing a key role in climate change mitigation. Through photosynthesis, these trees capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and store it both in their biomass and in the waterlogged soil, which is low in oxygen and slows the decomposition of organic matter. 

Mangroves are estimated to store up to four times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial tropical forests. The loss of these ecosystems not only means the disappearance of a carbon sink, but also the release of large amounts of previously stored CO₂.

Habitat and biodiversity

Mangroves are critical habitats for a wide variety of marine and terrestrial species. Their complex structure, particularly the submerged aerial roots of species such as the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), provides shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding grounds for fish, crustaceans, mollusks, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Many of these species are endemic or threatened.

Furthermore, mangroves function as transition zones between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, facilitating ecological connectivity and nutrient flow, which is essential for maintaining regional biodiversity.

Sustaining fishery resources

A considerable proportion of coastal fisheries depend directly or indirectly on mangroves. These ecosystems act as natural nurseries for numerous commercially important species such as fish, shrimp, crabs, and mollusks. During their juvenile stages, many of these species use mangrove roots as shelter from predators and as a food source.

The disappearance or degradation of mangroves results in a significant loss of biodiversity and a decline in fishing catches, directly affecting communities that depend on artisanal fishing for their livelihood.

Filtration and improvement of water quality

Mangroves also play an essential role in water purification. They act as natural filters, trapping sediments, heavy metals, and pollutants from land-based sources, such as rivers, agricultural areas, and urban areas. Their roots slow water flow, allowing sediment to settle and reducing the load of nutrients and pollutants reaching the sea.

This service is essential for maintaining water quality in coastal areas and for the health of neighboring ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass meadows.

Cultural, recreational, and educational value

Beyond their ecological and economic functions, mangroves hold cultural and spiritual value for many Indigenous and local communities. They are a source of artistic inspiration, objects of traditional rituals and practices, and spaces for recreational activities such as ecotourism and environmental education. Their conservation can be integrated into sustainable development strategies that strengthen cultural identity and promote alternative income.

In the mangroves of the Americas, we can find up to 15 species of mangroves and one hybrid with a large variety of associated flora and fauna. We can highlight four genera as the most widely distributed, such as red mangrove (Rhizophora sp), white mangrove (Laguncularia sp),  black mangrove (Avicennia sp), and button mangrove (Conocarpus sp).

Among the fauna present in the mangrove we can find reptiles such as the American Crocodile, the green iguana, mammals such as the West Indian manatee, coati, a wide variety of crustaceans and molluscs such as the blue crab, the black shellfish, birds such as roseate spoonbill, and white ibis, fish such as snappers, barracudas, smooth.

Mangroves are multifunctional ecosystems that provide essential ecosystem services for humanity and nature. Their ability to protect coasts, store carbon, maintain biodiversity, and sustain local economies makes them key elements in any conservation and sustainable development strategy. However, despite their importance, mangroves continue to be threatened by urban expansion, agriculture, pollution, and climate change.

Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is a strategic investment not only for environmental resilience but also for human well-being, especially for the coastal communities that directly depend on them.