International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem Date in the current year: July 26, 2024

Mangroves are shrubs and small trees that grow in coastal salt or brackish water, primarily in the tropics and subtropics. They are salt-tolerant plants adapted to life in harsh coastal conditions. A complex salt filtration system and a complex root system help them to cope with being immersed in salt water and affected by waves.

Mangrove ecosystems are one of the world’s richest and most important ecosystems. They help protect coastlines and mitigate the effects of tsunami, cyclones and other extreme weather events, provide forest products and biomass, sustain fisheries, ensure food security for local communities, and provide habitat for numerous species.

Unfortunately, mangrove ecosystems are critically endangered due to a combination of factors: extensive shrimp farming, water pollution, timber harvesting, increasing water consumption, etc. Mangroves take a lot of time to regrow, and other plants can’t replace them because they won’t grow in salt water. According to statistics, about 35% of the mangroves have already been destroyed.

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was initiated by Ecuador and officially established in 2015. Its main goal is to raise public awareness of these unique and vulnerable ecosystems, as well as to help find solutions for their preservation and sustainable use.