Mangrove Loss on Fihladhoo

In early 2020, Fihladhoo in North Thiladhunmathi experienced significant mangrove dieback, mirroring trends seen across northern Maldives. Studies report a loss of over 22 hectares and upwards of 44,000 Bruguiera cylindrica trees per hectare due to rising soil salinity, prolonged drought, and accelerated sea-level rise (~30 mm/year), worsened by repeated La Niña and Indian Ocean Dipole events. The mangroves are effectively “drowning” as sedimentation lags behind inundation. This threatens coastal resilience, nursery habitats, carbon storage, and freshwater systems. Conservationists urge immediate restoration, adaptive shoreline management, and ongoing monitoring to prevent further ecological decline.