Mangroves of the Maldives: unveiling and studying these unique ecosystems

Mangroves represent one of the most biologically and ecologically important ecosystems in the world, providing habitat and food for various terrestrial, estuarine, and marine species. Furthermore, they have an estimated economic value of at least $1.6 billion per year as they provide several ecosystem services, including fisheries enhancement, coastal protection, carbon storage and sequestration, and promotion of tourism and recreational activities. However, in the Maldives, knowledge about mangroves is scarce and their importance is still underestimated. The aim of our project is to study these ecosystems and conduct the first ever survey of all mangroves in the Maldives to improve the understanding of their unique ecosystems in order to take more action to protect them from human impact. In our recently published paper, we reviewed all information on mangroves in the Maldives and found that mangrove ecosystems have been documented on 108 islands (9% of all Maldivian islands) with 14 different mangrove species. However, the number of studies is limited and the number of islands with mangroves is potentially higher. In this context, in our last expedition, we explored the mangroves of Laamu and Thaa Atolls. We explored 9 mangrove areas and found two more islands with mangroves unreported in literature. For each mangrove habitat, the different macro-types of mangrove habitat, i.e. fringing, lake-based, embayment, and swamp-based, were documented, and water parameters, including temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen level were assessed. Furthermore, mangrove species were visually identified, and leaves samples were collected for identification with DNA barcoding. As the Maldives are experiencing an increasing demand for areas for agricultural expansion and coastal urban development and has recently been classified as critically endangered by the global assessment of IUCN, this work can push the authorities to ensure an effort in the management, protection, conservation, and restoration of these ecosystems.