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Defragmenting Mangrove Law Towards Coherent Global Governance
1Independent Researcher Blagnac France.
Ecology and Evolution
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Mangrove loss continues despite their benefits. Coordinated international governance, using existing frameworks like UNCLOS and CBD, can improve mangrove protection and conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Law
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Mangrove forests provide critical ecosystem services, including biodiversity support, coastal protection, and climate change mitigation.
- Despite recognized benefits, mangrove ecosystems face significant threats from urban development and aquaculture expansion, leading to continued loss.
- Current international governance for mangroves is fragmented across multiple frameworks, hindering effective conservation and restoration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the existing international legal frameworks governing mangrove ecosystems.
- To propose a strategy for improving mangrove protection through integrated interpretation and coordinated implementation of current international agreements.
- To highlight the potential of existing frameworks, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, for enhanced mangrove governance.
Main Methods:
- Legal analysis of four key international frameworks: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Ramsar Convention, and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Examination of the objectives, strengths, and limitations of each framework concerning mangrove conservation and restoration.
- Development of a strategy for defragmenting and coordinating existing governance mechanisms.
Main Results:
- International mangrove governance is fragmented, with distinct frameworks addressing different aspects (marine environment, biodiversity, wetlands, climate change) but lacking integration.
- Existing frameworks, particularly UNCLOS, offer strong potential for binding marine environment protection, while CBD focuses on national biodiversity implementation, Ramsar provides explicit legal bases but is non-prescriptive, and UNFCCC highlights carbon sink potential.
- A coordinated approach to interpreting and implementing these four instruments, alongside enhanced institutional cooperation, is crucial for coherent and effective mangrove governance.
Conclusions:
- A new international treaty is not necessary; stronger mangrove protection can be achieved by integrating and coordinating existing international legal frameworks.
- Effective mangrove governance requires a practical defragmentation strategy, emphasizing coordinated implementation and interpretation of UNCLOS, CBD, Ramsar, and UNFCCC.
- Future mangrove governance must incorporate scientific considerations, address financial and capacity limitations, and ensure the maintenance of ecosystem connectivity and resilience to climate change.
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