About Global Mangrove Assessment:

Why in News? More than half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse, with nearly one in five facing severe risk, according to the findings of the first global mangrove assessment.

• Climate change threatens one-third (33 per cent) of the mangrove ecosystems, according to the study done using the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems — a global standard for measuring the health of ecosystems.
• “IUCN’s Red List of Ecosystems is key to tracking progress towards the goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity The first global assessment of mangrove ecosystems gives key guidance that highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation of mangroves — crucial habitats for millions in vulnerable communities worldwide.
• This study classified the world’s mangrove ecosystems in 36 different regions called provinces and assessed the threats and risk of collapse in each region.

Key findings:

• The findings show climate change and sea-level rise will result in the loss of 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon stored (16 per cent of the total current carbon stored in mangroves) by 2050, currently valued at least USD 13 billion at market prices in voluntary carbon markets.
• One-third of the world’s mangrove ecosystem provinces will be severely affected by sea-level rise, with 25 per cent of the global mangrove area predicted to be submerged in the next 50 years.
• The Northwest Atlantic, North Indian Ocean, Red Sea, South China Sea, and Gulf of Aden coasts are expected to be particularly severely affected.
• Mangroves store around 11 billion tonnes of carbon, which is almost three times the amount of carbon stored by tropical forests of the same size.
• These ecosystems protect 4 million people and USD 65 billion worth of property per year from coastal disasters. In 2050, this could rise to 15.5 million and USD 118 billion because of population growth and rise in property values.

What are major causes?

• Deforestation, development, pollution and dam construction pose a serious threat to mangroves, but the risk to these ecosystems is increasing due to sea-level rise and the increased frequency of severe storms due to climate change.
• Exposure to more frequent and severe weather events, and sea-level rise. Increased frequency and intensity of cyclones/typhoons/hurricanes and tropical storms impact mangroves on some coastlines.

About the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework:

• It is also known as the GBF, is a landmark agreement adopted in December 2022 at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity [Convention on Biological Diversity]. It represents a critical step towards tackling the global biodiversity crisis.

Goals and Targets:

• The GBF sets out four long-term goals for 2050, aiming for a world “living in harmony with nature.”
• It outlines 23 specific and measurable targets to be achieved by 2030. These targets address various aspects of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.