KOTA KINABALU: July 26 is World Mangrove Day, and the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) in Kinabatangan, off Sandakan, is reminding the public to learn more about the need to protect and conserve this ecosystem.

The DGFC said on its social media that mangroves remain one of the most resilient, hard-working, and important ecosystems on the planet, as mangroves are not just trees; they are complex sanctuaries.

“Why do we love them? It is because these plants act as natural shields, the ultimate nursery, wildlife corridors and climate heroes,” it added.

As natural shields, the tangled roots of mangroves trap sediment and protect riverbanks from erosion, acting as a buffer against tidal surges, it said.

They provide a safe haven for countless marine species, crabs, prawns, and fish during their vulnerable early life stages, the DGFC explained.

“They offer crucial habitat and foraging grounds for our iconic Bornean wildlife, from proboscis monkeys to estuarine crocodiles,” it pointed out.

It added that mangroves are powerhouse carbon sinks, locking away 'blue carbon' up to four times faster than terrestrial rainforests.

This means that these habitats absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store them in their plants and underwater soils for ages.

The DGFC said despite their immense value, mangroves worldwide face constant threats from coastal development and deforestation.

“Protecting the Kinabatangan means protecting every fragment of its diverse habitats - from the inland forests right down to the river mouth,” it said.

Sabah hosts the largest mangrove ecosystems in Malaysia, covering about 390,526 ha (60%) of the country's total mangrove of which 90% is still intact.

To better protect and conserve mangroves, the state has developed the 10-year Sabah Mangrove Action Plan (SMAP) 2024–2033, for policy making and other initiatives for this purpose.