Mangroves do more than hold our shorelines together — they are also powerful natural carbon stores. Beneath the muddy surface of a mangrove swamp, life thrives. Even while we stand ankle-deep in seawater, these remarkable plants quietly protect our coasts and support the rich biodiversity that sustains communities every day.
But despite their strength and ability to survive in salty waters, mangroves remain vulnerable to natural disasters. Cyclone Winston — the Category 5 cyclone that struck Fiji in 2016 — made this painfully clear. Countless mangroves were destroyed, leaving once-vibrant swamps bleak and lifeless. With them went the habitats of marine species, dealing a heavy blow to Fiji’s ecosystem.
