Mangroves are among the most vital yet underappreciated ecosystems on Earth. These coastal forests help marine life thrive and offer vital services that support local communities and fight climate change. Companies for Good focuses on promoting environmental care through team activities and learning about mangroves shows why we need to protect them.
The number of mangroves in Abu Dhabi has increased by 92% between 1987 and 2022. These trees thrive in coastal areas and calm lagoons, especially on the Emirate’s eastern side. The mangroves are important homes for young fish, various small sea creatures, and at least 74 types of birds. Even though they don’t have rivers or fresh water like some other countries, these mangroves can handle warmer temperatures and saltier water. Places like Mangrove National Park and Jubail Mangrove Park draw in thousands of visitors every year, helping to spread the word about the importance of protecting these habitats.
This blog talks about why mangroves are important for marine life, how they store carbon, protect shorelines, and what’s being done to save them. If you want to get involved, Companies for Good — our company — offers programs for corporate sustainability and opportunities for planting mangroves.
The Unique Biology of Mangroves
Mangroves are remarkable plants that have adapted to live in tough salty waters. Their unique root systems help them stay stable in muddy, low-oxygen areas and filter out salt too.
Mangroves possess specialized aerial roots, called pneumatophores, which stick up out of the mud to take in oxygen from the air. In the UAE, mangroves like Avicennia marina have special glands in their leaves that get rid of excess salt, helping them thrive in salty conditions.
There are more than 80 types of mangroves worldwide, with four of them found in the UAE. These trees also reproduce uniquely; their seedlings, known as propagules, start growing while still connected to the parent tree. When they drop, they are ready to take root right away, which helps them survive better.
Mangroves as Marine Nurseries
Mangroves are essential habitats that provide important ecosystem services and support livelihoods. A recent study looked at where 37 types of juvenile fish and invertebrates, which rely on mangroves, are found in abundance. By using field data, researchers figured out the places where these species are most common. They found that mangroves in areas like Southeast and South Asia, the northern coast of South America, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean have a lot of these species.
The study estimated that mangroves help support over 700 billion young fish and invertebrates around the world each year. While we can’t directly link this to cash or biomass gains, it really shows how vital mangroves are for fish populations and fisheries, which underscores the need to protect and restore these habitats.
Carbon Sequestration Powerhouses
Mangroves are among the most powerful “blue carbon” ecosystems on Earth. They store carbon dioxide much more efficiently than older tropical forests, making them important in the battle against climate change.
Mangroves hold around 394 tons of carbon for every hectare. Here’s how that breaks down:
- 319 tons in the soil
- 54 tons in the trees and plants above the ground
- 21 tons in the roots and other parts below the ground
Coastal Protection Mechanisms
Mangroves really help lower the risk of coastal flooding, so some countries are making laws to require greenbelts of mangroves. These greenbelts are usually recommended to be between 50 to 200 meters wide. A recent study looked at a bunch of simulations—over 216,000 of them—to see how mangroves reduce wave energy. It turns out that tidal flats in front of mangrove forests help reduce wave height by about 70%. For mangrove forests that are less than 500 meters wide, wave reduction relies on things like local water levels, wave types, and how dense the forest is. But for those more than 500 meters wide—which account for 46% of the world’s coastal mangroves—over 75% of incoming wave energy gets absorbed. This means that to really cut down on shorter waves, it’s better if mangrove belts are 500 meters or wider.
Biodiversity Hotspots
Mangroves are packed with wildlife, home to over 1,300 different animal species around the world. They create complex food webs where crabs, fish, birds, and insects all play a part.
In the UAE, important species like migratory birds, including flamingos and herons, rely on mangroves for food and nesting. A great spot to see this is Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Mangrove National Park, which really shows how important it is to protect these unique habitats.
Threats to Mangrove Ecosystems
Mangroves are really important but face numerous threats:
- Coastal Development: When cities expand and new buildings go up, mangrove areas often get cleared away.
- Aquaculture and Agriculture: Some mangrove land is turned into shrimp farms or fields, which harms these ecosystems.
- Pollution: Waste from industries and plastic trash hurt mangroves.
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels and more storms put mangroves at risk. It’s concerning that a lot of mangrove forests around the world are threatened by these human activities.
Why Protecting Mangroves Matters
Mangroves are more than just trees—they’re essential for marine life, coastal towns, and keeping our climate in check. By taking care of these important areas, we can:
- Support fisheries and marine life
- Help fight climate change by storing carbon
- Protect coastlines from storms and other disasters
How Companies for Good Are Making a Difference
Companies for Good (CFG) has played an active role in environmental sustainability initiatives, especially when it comes to protecting mangroves. They partner with businesses to set up tree planting events and team-building activities that help raise awareness about the environment.
- Wacker Teams: CFG teamed up with the Wacker teams for a great mangrove planting event. It got employees involved and showed the company’s dedication to caring for the environment. This effort not only helped restore mangroves but also highlighted how important it is to protect our coastal ecosystems.
- Novelis Team: In partnership with CFG, the Novelis team participated in an environmental initiative focused on mangrove planting and kayaking. The goal was to spread the word about how important mangrove forests are for marine life and coastal protection. It was a great mix of helping the environment and building team spirit.
- Schneider Electric Team: Schneider Electric collaborated CFG for a mangrove tree planting event. The effort showed how teams can work together to help the environment while also getting employees involved and teaching them about nature.
At Companies for Good, we back mangrove conservation projects that fit with the UAE’s sustainability goals. Join us in safeguarding these natural wonders for future generations.
Want to get involved?
- Get involved in mangrove planting programs
- Cut down on plastic waste to protect marine areas
- Push for better coastal conservation laws
Together, we can make a real impact—one mangrove at a time.