Old bauxite mining site at Bintan. January 2026. Courtesy of NTU CCA Singapore.

Importance and Threats to Mangroves

Mangroves are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world, with more than 50% of these spaces at risk of collapse, according to an assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These threats may be broadly categorised into two forms: (i) human-driven coastal development and (ii) climate change.

The video clips below share the perspectives and opinions of various collaborators on the importance of mangroves and the threats to these spaces.

Dr Timothy Shaw, Senior Research Fellow at Earth Observatory Singapore

Mak Eha, Resident at Pengudang Village, Teluk Sebong, Bintan

Johanes Jamil, Leader of Orang Laut Community in Kawal, Kampung Masiran, Bintan

Henky Irawan, Lecturer at Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji, Tanjungpinang.

Further Resources

[News] Deforestation for commodities, climate change threaten mangroves in South-east Asia: Study

[Platform] The first-ever global assessment for the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems reveals that more than half of the world's mangroves are at risk of collapse by 2050.

[Article] Seizing Living Space: The Kawal Sea Tribe Faces Threats to the Galang Batang National Strategic Project