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A tall red mangrove provides habitat to various epiphytic cacti and orchid species, creating an ecosystem unique in the world.
A tall red mangrove provides habitat to various epiphytic cacti and orchid species, creating an ecosystem unique in the world. Photo: Octavio Aburto

Mangrove forests are also some of the best carbon sinks on Earth. Protecting them for climate purposes alone makes total sense. On the coast, though, they also provide vital habitat for rare creatures and protection from storm surge.

Yet these do-it-all trees are under threat from rising seas, which could swallow numerous mangrove forests around the world by midcentury. Their loss would be a huge one for the climate, biodiversity, and the 5.3 million people they protect.

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