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KNOWLEDGE BASE

Why mangroves matter

Mangroves store carbon, protect coasts, feed fisheries and support millions of people.

Beginner 1 min read mangrovesservicesbasics

Mangroves are salt-tolerant forests on tropical shorelines. They matter because they store large amounts of carbon, mostly in their waterlogged soils; they protect coasts from storm surge and erosion; they are nurseries for fish and shellfish that feed coastal communities; and they provide poles, firewood, honey and tourism income.

Africa holds roughly 3 million hectares of mapped mangrove, with the largest areas in Nigeria, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar and Guinea. Atlas maps them for every African country that has them (1996–2025) and adds detailed local layers for Lamu, Kenya: species formations, field plots, restoration sites, villages and development pressure.

How to interpret it

Use the Mangrove Change page to see how each country is doing, and the Scenario Lab to explore what loss or restoration would mean for carbon.

Limits. Area is mapped from satellites; condition (health, carbon density) needs field measurement.

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