Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-8-2010
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0010095
Publication Title
PLoS One
Volume
5
Issue
4
Pages
1
Abstract
Mangrove species are uniquely adapted to tropical and subtropical coasts, and although relatively low in number of species, mangrove forests provide at least US $1.6 billion each year in ecosystem services and support coastal livelihoods worldwide. Globally, mangrove areas are declining rapidly as they are cleared for coastal development and aquaculture and logged for timber and fuel production. Little is known about the effects of mangrove area loss on individual mangrove species and local or regional populations. To address this gap, species-specific information on global distribution, population status, life history traits, and major threats were compiled for each of the 70 known species of mangroves. Each species’ probability of extinction was assessed under the Categories and Criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Eleven of the 70 mangrove species (16%) are at elevated threat of extinction. Particular areas of geographical concern include the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Central America, where as many as 40% of mangroves species present are threatened with extinction. Across the globe, mangrove species found primarily in the high intertidal and upstream estuarine zones, which often have specific freshwater requirements and patchy distributions, are the most threatened because they are often the first cleared for development of aquaculture and agriculture. The loss of mangrove species will have devastating economic and environmental consequences for coastal communities, especially in those areas with low mangrove diversity and high mangrove area or species loss. Several species at high risk of extinction may disappear well before the next decade if existing protective measures are not enforced.
Original Publication Citation
Polidoro, B.A., Carpenter, K.E., Collins, L., Duke, N.C., Ellison, A.M., Ellison, J.C., . . . Yong, J.W.H. (2010). The loss of species: Mangrove extinction risk and geographic areas of global concern. PLoS One, 5(4), 1. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0010095
Repository Citation
Polidoro, Beth A.; Carpenter, Kent E.; Collins, Lorna; Duke, Norman C.; Ellison, Aaron M.; Ellison, Joanna C.; Farnsworth, Elizabeth J.; Fernando, Edwino S.; Kathiresan, Kandasamy; Koedam, Nico E.; Livingstone, Suzanne R.; Miyagi, Toyohiko; Moore, Gregg E.; Ngoc Nam, Vien; Ong, Jin Eong; Primavera, Jurgenne H.; Salmo, Serverino G.; Sanciango, Jonnell C.; Sukardjo, Sukristijono; Wang, Yamin; and Yong, Jean Wan Hong, "The Loss of Species: Mangrove Extinction Risk and Geographic Areas of Global Concern" (2010). Biological Sciences Faculty Publications. 72.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/biology_fac_pubs/72
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons