July 26 is International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove System

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 

Mangroves protect coastlines from erosion, they regulate flooding and buffer storms, provide nursery habitats for fish and can store large amounts of carbon dioxide. However, despite the many advantages that healthy mangrove ecosystems bring to coastal communities and the world as a whole, more than two thirds of mangroves has been lost or degraded. This is why UNESCO has designated 26 July as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem to raise awareness of the importance of mangroves as a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem. (credit to Climeworks’ Calendar of International events for Environment)