Deforestation for commodities, climate change threaten mangroves in South-east Asia

Mangroves at Sungei Puaka, on Pulau Ubin, Singapore. Photo by Robyn Gwee.

A new study led by Assistant Professor Zeng Yiwen and PhD student Valerie Kwan sheds light on the increasing threats facing Southeast Asia’s mangroves. Featured in The Straits Times, the study highlights how deforestation for commodities, coupled with climate change, is accelerating mangrove loss across the region.

Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. However, large-scale land conversion for agriculture, aquaculture, and urban development is leading to significant habitat destruction. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges through rising sea levels and extreme weather events, putting both ecosystems and coastal communities at risk.

The research emphasizes the urgent need for stronger conservation policies, restoration initiatives, and sustainable land-use planning to protect these critical ecosystems. As Southeast Asia holds some of the world’s most diverse mangrove forests, preserving them is essential for climate resilience and ecological stability.

Read more here: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/deforestation-for-commodities-climate-change-threaten-mangroves-in-south-east-asia-study