Can Strict Protection Stop the Decline of Mangrove Ecosystems in China? From Rapid Destruction to Rampant Degradation

摘要: China has lost about 50% of its mangrove forests from 1950 to 2001. Since 2001, forest area increased by 1.8% per year due strict protection the remaining and large-scale restoration. By 2019, 67% in had been enclosed within protected areas (PAs). In terms proportion PAs forests, achieved conservation target “Nature Needs Half”. The ongoing degradation was assessed at species, population, community ecosystem levels. results show that despite protection, are suffering extensive widespread anthropogenic disturbance. Of 26 threatened with extinction, a higher than average for all plants (10.8%). Local extinction some common species like Bruguiera gymnorhiza is widespread. About 53% existing were dominated low-intertidal pioneer species. Consequently, carbon stock vegetation decreased 53.1%, 21.8 Tg C 1950s 10.2 2019. Meanwhile, there an estimated 10.8% concomitant decrease sequestration rate. root cause this seawall construction because most mangroves outside seawalls China. Without fundamental changes restoration strategies, will continue degrade spite Future effort should aim preserve diversity both biota ecological processes sustaining ecosystem. A few suggestions raise effectiveness actions provided.