Beyond carbon: a systematic review of multiple ecosystem services of mangroves

Mangroves are critical to global carbon mitigation efforts due to their exceptional carbon sequestration capacity, but they also provide a wide range of additional ecosystem services including coastal protection, water purification, and also socio-economic benefits such as fishing and recreation. However, research on mangrove ecosystem services often focuses primarily on carbon sequestration, with limited attention to other critical functions. In this review, we analyze the co-occurrence of multiple ecosystem services studied alongside carbon sequestration and highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to mangrove ecosystem management. A search yielded 813 relevant studies, with 423 of which were further analyzed. Only about 22% of studies investigated more than one service, providing limited insight into the relationships between multiple ecosystem services. The most studied ecosystem services with carbon sequestration were regulating services, namely nutrient cycling followed by soil formation and coastal protection. Provisioning services such as fishing and biomass, and cultural services such as recreation were also studied but less. Also, stakeholder engagement remains minimal, with only 5% of studies incorporating perspectives from local communities, policymakers, or other relevant groups. Given the expected expansion of mangrove ecosystems due to climate change, it is crucial to consider both ecological and social dimensions when developing management strategies. We propose a socio-ecological framework to integrate other ecosystem services alongside carbon sequestration. By broadening the scope of mangrove ecosystem studies, we can promote more inclusive, effective, and sustainable management approaches that benefit both nature and society.