Happy International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems! Mangroves are any shrub or tree with a specialized root system that allows them to grow in oxygen-poor, salty coastal environments. Their dense roots make them important in a number of ways: 1. They protect against coastal erosion. As tides come and go, they carry bits of the coast out with them, leading to gradual erosion over time. Mangroves hold the sediment in place like stitches, keeping the coastline intact. 2. They provide habitat for countless species. Their roots create a natural shelter, making the perfect nursery for numerous species of fish. 3. They combat climate change by drawing down vast amounts of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it deep in the sediment below. 4. They buffer coastal communities from storm surges and flooding, slowing incoming wave energy and reducing the height and force of storm surges before they reach shore. That’s why we’re bringing attention to the ...