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The first global assessment of mangroves in over a decade reveals that rare and critically important mangrove forests continue to be lost at a rate three to four times higher than land-based global forests, despite positive restoration efforts by some countries.

About one fifth of all mangroves are thought to have been lost since 1980. Although losses are slowing at 0.7 percent a year, the authors warn that any further destruction due to shrimp farming and coastal development will cause significant economic and ecological decline.