The study found climate change as the main culprit, sharing the findings as a warning sign for other low lying nations as well.
A new study has found that salt exposure due to climate change and rising sea levels are killing Maldives' mangroves.
The study carried out by the School of Marine Biology of India's Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) began in December 2021 after a team from the university was invited to look into the rapid dieback of mangroves in the country which was observed around 2020.
The four-member CUSAT team was led in the study by Dr. Bijoy Nandan, head of the university’s Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry Department.
At the time, concern grew over the deterioration of mangroves in Haa Dhaalu Neykurendhoo, Haa Alifu Kelaa and the only mangrove forest in the country, located in Keylakunu after 22.12 hectares of mangrove forests were impacted between March 2020 and 2021. Over 44,267 trees per hectare of a specific mangrove plant holding cultural and ecological significance to the communities were also reportedly lost during this period.
India's High Commission in Maldives said that for the purposes of the study, sediment samples were collected from Kelaa, Kulhudhuffushi, Keylakunu, Vaikaradhoo, Neykurendhoo, Goidhoo, Feydhoo and Kendhikulhudhoo mangroves.
Times of India reported that the joint research initiative between Maldives and India, endorsed by Maldives Environment Ministry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the country, found that increased soil salinity due to prolonged drought and rising temperatures, the Triple La Nina phenomenon, and the positive Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) had led to abnormal climatic fluctuations, which were exacerbated by localised sea level changes which caused saline water intrusions into the wetlands.
According to the findings, mangroves, which serve as crucial carbon sinks and coastal buffers, are highly susceptible to the impacts of extreme climatic events, posing significant risks to Maldives and other low-lying island nations facing accelerating sea level rise.
Prior to this study, Maldives had also sent samples to CUSAT. Initially, it was believed that some of the mangroves were infected with a fungus that weakened the plants. The decision to conduct on-field assessments was made to ascertain this hypothesis.
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