The global fish and invertebrate abundance value of mangroves

Abstract

Mangroves are a critical coastal habitat that provides a suite of ecosystem services and supports livelihoods. We undertake the first global analysis to estimate density and abundance of 37 commercially important fish and invertebrates that are known to extensively use mangroves. Geomorphic mangrove type, sea surface salinity and temperature, and length of mangrove forest edge were important in predicting the density of commercial fish and invertebrates, with deltaic systems supporting the highest densities. The model predicted high densities throughout parts of southeast Asia, the northern coast of South America, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean and Central America. Application of our model onto the global mangrove extent, estimates that mangroves support the annual abundance of nearly 800 billion young-of-year fish and invertebrates contained in our model. Our results confirm the critical role of mangroves globally in supporting fish and fisheries, and further builds the case for their conservation and restoration.