ChangeEco is the leading resource for wetland conservation, mangrove restoration, and freshwater ecosystem protection. Explore endangered areas, blue carbon science, and real ways to help save Earth's water ecosystems.
87% of wetlands lost since 1700. 35% of mangroves gone since 1980. The crisis is accelerating — but so is the response.
World's largest mangrove forest, home to Bengal tigers and Irrawaddy dolphins.
America's iconic river of grass, threatened by agriculture and invasive species.
World's largest tropical wetland and densest jaguar habitat on Earth.
Feeding 60 million people, now threatened by upstream dams and saltwater intrusion.
UNESCO World Heritage Site — the ancient cradle of civilisation, now recovering.
World's largest tropical peatland, storing 30 billion tons of carbon.
The world's model estuary recovery, now 24% below its seagrass peak — with the first gain since 2016.
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They filter drinking water for billions of people, store more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests, protect coastlines from storms, and support over 40% of the world's species. Despite this, 87% of the world's wetlands have been lost since 1700.
Blue carbon is the carbon stored by coastal ecosystems — mainly mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. Mangroves alone store between 1,000 and 2,500 tonnes of carbon per hectare. When these ecosystems are destroyed, that carbon is rapidly released into the atmosphere.
A 100-metre wide mangrove belt can reduce wave height by 50% and significantly attenuate storm surge. Each hectare of mangrove provides an estimated $65,000 per year in storm protection.
Support organisations that fund restoration (Wetlands International, Global Mangrove Alliance); reduce meat and dairy consumption; choose sustainably sourced seafood; and reduce household water use to ease aquifer pressure.