Mangroves are described as rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea, which contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. But reports estimate that 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date, and an additional 1% is lost each year, putting mangroves at a risk of being destroyed altogether. In conjunction with this year's International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, we're doing a two-part special on mangroves, and in this first part, we discuss the immense ecological and economic importance of these ecosystems with Dr Ahmad Aldrie Amir, a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and he is currently heading the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability Research Centre there too. Dr Aldrie is also the coordinator of the Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network (MyMangrove).



Listen to the second part of our coverage on International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem here

 

Image source: Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network Facebook 

Mangroves are described as rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea, which contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. But reports estimate that 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date, and an additional 1% is lost each year, putting mangroves at a risk of being destroyed altogether. In conjunction with this year's International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, we're doing a two-part special on mangroves, and in this first part, we discuss the immense ecological and economic importance of these ecosystems with <a href="http://www.ukm.my/aldrie/profile/">Dr Ahmad Aldrie Amir</a>, a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and he is currently heading the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability Research Centre there too. Dr Aldrie is also the coordinator of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/235053820349354">Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network</a> (MyMangrove).

Listen to the second part of our coverage on International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem <a href="https://www.bfm.my/podcast/the-bigger-picture/earth-matters/-grooving-to-the-mangrove-beat-part-2-protecting-and-preserving-mangrove-ecosystems">here</a>
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Image source: Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network Facebook&nbsp;

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

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