全球红树林正在走出长期衰退的困境。自2010年以来，红树林面积扩展超过2000平方公里，这是自1984年卫星监测以来首次出现扩张速度超过衰退速度的局面[1]。这一转变对沿海地带和气候行动都具有重要意义。
此前的数十年里，红树林遭受了严重损失。1980年至2010年间，全球共丧失超过12000平方公里的红树林[1]。这种退化主要源于人类活动，包括采伐和污染，以及极端天气事件的影响[1]。然而，在一些地区的政策干预下，这一趋势开始扭转。缅甸和印度尼西亚在2004年印度洋海啸和2008年纳尔吉斯气旋之后，相继加强了红树林保护法律[1]，成功阻止了此前的红树林流失。澳大利亚和其他地区的红树林也出现了向海岸迁移并扩展到新形成滩涂的现象[1]。
红树林的恢复对气候行动尤为关键。这些森林能储存的碳量约为其他陆地森林的四倍[1]，使其成为重要的碳汇。不过研究指出，尽管总体趋势向好，红树林生态系统仍在变得稀疏[1]，沿海生态系统和气候保护工作仍面临重重风险。
The world's mangrove ecosystems are experiencing a significant turnaround, marking a historic shift in their trajectory. Since 2010, mangrove forests have expanded by more than 2,000 square kilometers, representing the first period since satellite monitoring began in 1984 when expansion has outpaced decline [1]. This reversal comes after a devastating period from 1980 to 2010, during which the planet lost over 12,000 square kilometers of mangrove coverage [1].
The recovery is particularly pronounced in Southeast Asia, where policy interventions have proven effective. Myanmar and Indonesia strengthened their mangrove protection laws following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2008 Cyclone Nargis, successfully reversing earlier losses in their territories [1]. Meanwhile, mangrove forests in Australia and other regions are expanding into newly formed mudflats and migrating toward coastal areas [1]. Despite these gains, research indicates that mangrove forests overall remain increasingly sparse, continuing to face pressures from human activities such as logging and pollution, as well as from extreme weather events [1].
The recovery matters significantly for both coastal communities and climate action. Mangrove forests store approximately four times more carbon than other terrestrial forests [1], making their expansion a crucial asset in global efforts to combat climate change while simultaneously protecting vulnerable coastlines from environmental hazards.
