Discover the importance of the mangrove biome, its wildlife, environmental benefits, and why protecting these ecosystems matters. Learn about mangrove forests, their benefits, biodiversity and challenges from UNEP, the UN Environment Programme. Find out how UNEP supports mangrove protection and restoration as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and Ocean Science. Mangrove forests are vital assets to both marine and terrestrial wildlife, acting as nurseries for various species of fish, birds, and invertebrates. A mangrove is any of certain shrubs and trees that grow in dense thickets or forests along tidal estuaries, in salt marshes, and on muddy coasts and that characteristically have prop roots—i.e., exposed supporting roots. The term ‘mangrove’ also applies to thickets and forests of such plants.
