Rome - Saving lives and contributing to livelihoods are only some of the important contributions provided by mangrove ecosystems. These salt-tolerant evergreen ecosystems are highlighted in a new education module available online through FAO’s Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) toolbox.

Although mangroves grow along coastlines, their influence often extends both inland, where they can protect against storm surges and soil erosion, for example; and further out to sea, defending coral reefs by reducing sedimentation. They not only provide habitat for edible crustaceans and molluscs, nursery and feeding areas for fish and shrimps, but also offer homes for birds and other wildlife...[read the full web story]