Severe Mangrove Dieback in HDh. Neykurendhoo

HDh. Neykurendhoo’s mangrove has been experiencing severe dieback since 2020. The collapse is linked to salt stress caused by rapidly rising sea levels and a major Indian Ocean Dipole event. Surveys using drones and on-ground assessments show a large-scale loss—around 22 hectares of habitat and tens of thousands of Bruguiera cylindrica trees per hectare. Affected trees show signs of salinity stress, including reduced growth and drying. This decline threatens key benefits such as coastal protection, fish nursery habitats, freshwater recharge, and carbon storage. Experts are calling for urgent restoration efforts and continuous monitoring to preserve this critical ecosystem.