Comprehensive review of three decades of developments on conservation and restoration of mangroves: A publications data-driven approach

Mangroves are salt-tolerant, evergreen shrubs that play a crucial role in diverse ecosystems, providing habitats, protection, and natural barriers against natural disasters and stabilising coastal sediments. However, mangroves are facing numerous threats, primarily from aquaculture, agriculture, seaside activities, and infrastructure development, which has resulted in their depletion and degradation worldwide. Global efforts to restore and/or conserve mangroves have been widely reported in the literature. Despite the vast studies on mangroves in the literature, there is currently no study that has critically examined global developmental efforts on the conservation and restoration of mangroves. Previous reviews in international scientific databases such as Scopus have revealed studies solely focused on one aspect of either preservation or conservation but a critical analysis of both topics as they relate to mangroves. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive review of the conservation and restoration of mangroves (CRM) over three decades using a publications data-driven approach. Based on the publications data from Scopus, a total of 312 documents have been published on CRM, which revealed the two broad areas of mangrove resources conservation and mangrove ecological restoration. The review of literature highlighted that mangroves have either been partially degraded or depleted or destroyed, which has necessitated conservation to prevent further habitat or biodiversity loss and rejuvenate such areas. Further analysis revealed that both mangrove conservation and restoration require various strategies, such as active stakeholders/community engagement, advocacy, and participation, to stem the tide of mangrove depletion and degradation. The adoption of innovative technologies and computational tools such as satellite imagery, drones, and aerial vehicles has also helped to identify, examine, and highlight affected mangrove areas that require further attention. The introduction of invasive plant species such as Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia has also helped to regenerate depleted mangroves in some areas. Overall, the paper highlighted the critical importance of ecosystems and the need to protect such ecosystems from loss of their natural resources. It is envisaged that measures to ensure mangrove conservation and restoration will prevent loss of biodiversity, ensure survival and protect livelihoods in mangroves across the globe.