Beyond the Dark Side of the Swamp: Challenging Negative Perceptions of Mangrove Forests

Written by Dr. Sabrina Dookie

Historically and in modern society, negative perceptions of mangrove wetlands persist despite an improved understanding of their significance and the ecosystem services they provide. Inaccurate and biased public communication has significant direct implications for effective environmental management. Mangroves, found in 123 countries, play a vital role in preserving marine biodiversity in tropical and subtropical regions and serve as significant carbon sinks. They function as buffers by mitigating coastal flooding, providing shelter to coastal regions during storms, and stabilising the coastline [1]. Known in modern literature as ‘the silent soldiers of the sea’, these forests serve as crucial habitats for a variety of wildlife, acting as important coastal nurseries, food sources, and shelter for numerous aquatic and terrestrial species, such as fish, crabs, shrimps, otters, crocodiles, clams, oysters, and birds [2]. In addition to supplying various timber and non-timber products, including honey, thatch, and fodder, numerous studies have emphasised the cultural, spiritual, recreational, and traditional services these ecosystems offer to the local communities which depend on them for sustenance.

Mangroves are important wetland ecosystems which provide numerous goods and services to humans and the environment (The Barima Mora Passage Mangrove Forest (Guyana) Photo credits: Sabrina Dookie).

Mangrove forests have historically been viewed unfavourably due to perceived ecosystem disservices, including their role as habitats for potentially dangerous animals such as crocodiles, tigers, and snakes, as well as insects like mosquitoes, bees, spiders, and sandflies, which are vectors for diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever [3]. For instance, in early expeditions to Ecuador, Humboldt’s (1850) mangrove descriptions included “sickly inhabitants of the coastal regions, often merged completely with the ‘unhealthy’ mangrove nature” [4]. Descriptions of mangroves as sources of putrid exhalations, indicative of impending death, have existed since at least the nineteenth century and have been documented by famous naturalists, including Charles Darwin [5]. These perspectives, presented repeatedly over time, have led to extensive clearance and drainage of mangrove forests, resulting in their transformation into aquaculture, agricultural land, or zones designated for infrastructure and urban development [6]. Historical accounts often suggested that the removal of these forests would yield concurrent benefits for its inhabitants and the environment, serving as a method for land sanitisation and air purification. “It is to be hoped that man, by changing the surface of the soil, will also gradually change the nature of the air. The insects will diminish once the old trees in the forest have disappeared, and one sees in these barren lands the riverbanks occupied with villages; the plains covered with pastures and crop fields” [7,8].

Mangroves are frequently viewed as dark and gloomy by travellers and tourists, potentially undermining their overall significance and prioritisation (Photo: Italo Aragão on Unsplash)

Despite garnering significant evidence of the ecological and societal value of mangroves, negative perceptions still persist, often perpetuated and reinforced through social media and reports. Popular social media influencers, actors, and decision-makers may unintentionally or deliberately share opinions that reinforce the negative historical perceptions of mangroves. This framing continues to be enforced as a communication strategy, where negative terminology diminishes the positive perceptions associated with mangroves: “Ugly, smelly, wasteland”, “seen as unproductive, dirty and smelly”, “mangroves are dirty, mosquito-infested tangles of roots that stand in the way of an ocean view” [9].

 The conservation of endangered ecosystems, such as mangroves, requires increased public support. If not rectified, the ongoing references to negative perceptions may contribute to under-valuation and result in further habitat loss. How do we counter this perception? One way in which we can do this is by reopening the ‘mangrove files’ by exposing the good, bad, and the misunderstood. This can be done by directly addressing and refuting misconceptions and myths about mangroves through the continuous provision of clear and accurate information. Heightened public awareness regarding the aesthetic and ecological significance of mangroves may signal a shift away from popular misconceptions.

Mangroves are more than meets the eye as they are diverse and unique habitats capable of sustaining numerous species of wildlife for refuge or breeding grounds (Photo: Nestor Mehanikov on Unsplash)

Mangrove forests are classified as a ‘protected species’ in many regions and are prioritised for national conservation globally. This holds fundamental importance in international policies, especially biodiversity conservation and climate change agreements. The significant rise in mangrove ecotourism globally reflects the recognition of the recreational and aesthetic value of mangroves. Tourists engage with mangrove forests, contributing to a multi-billion-dollar industry, marking the growth of mangrove ecotourism and associated recreational activities such as nature photography, birdwatching, and kayaking [10].

For us to effectively shift the public perception of mangroves towards a positive light, it is evident that the scientific community and broader academia must enhance their vigilance on social media and adopt evolved messaging strategies such as public awareness, storytelling, and increased visual content. This can be achieved by directly refuting negative narratives peddled on social media, which highlight disservices and economic losses, while clearly conveying that a decrease in mangrove cover results in direct biodiversity losses and the disconnection of benefits from these forests to society. Further advancements in technology present multiple opportunities for the scientific community, stakeholders, and communication specialists to collaboratively portray mangroves in a more favourable manner, thereby fostering greater conservation and protection initiatives. Direct community engagement (through ‘town hall’ meetings, consultations, workshops, seminars, etc.) is crucial for highlighting the benefits of mangroves while promoting conservation efforts with local communities through sustainable practices. On the technical side, the creation of adaptive frameworks that integrate ecological, social, and policy dimensions to enhance the management and governance of mangrove systems can be developed and executed. This ultimately bridges the gap between public perceptions and conservation needs [11]. Promoting positive perceptions about the functions, goods, and services provided by these endangered ecosystems, along with their long-term socioeconomic benefits, will support successful conservation efforts for mangroves while reducing negative public perceptions that may shroud their overall importance to our planet.

References

[1] Sunkur R., Kantamaneni K., Bokhoree,C. & Ravan, S. (2023). Mangroves’ role in supporting ecosystem-based techniques to reduce disaster risk and adapt to climate change: A review. Journal of Sea Research, 196, 102449–102449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2023.102449

[2] Zhang, S., Huang, H., Peng, D., Zhu, Y., Dong, D., Huang, H., & Chu, J. (2025). Potential distribution projections of mangrove forests and invasive plants under climate change: case insights from mangrove management in Guangdong Province, China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 218, 118131–118131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118131

[3] Friess, D. A., Yando, E. S., Alemu, J. B., Wong, L.-W., Soto, S. D., and Bhatia, N. (2020). Ecosystem services and disservices of mangrove forests and saltmarshes. Oceanogr. Mar. Biol. 58, 107–142. doi: 10.1201/9780429351495-3

[4] Humboldt, A. [1815] 1860. Reise in die Aequinoctial-Gegenden des neuen Continents. Band 3. H. Hauff, Translated by. Cotta. http://www.deutschestextarchiv.de/book/show/ humboldt_aequinoktial03_1859.

[5] Darwin, C. R. (1839). Journal of Researches Into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries Visited During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle Round the World, Under the Command of Capt. Fitz Roy, R.N. London: John Murray

[6] Friess, D. A. (2016). Ecosystem services and disservices of mangrove forests: insights from historical colonial observations. Forests 7:183. doi: 10.3390/f7090183

[7] Humboldt, A. [1815] 1859b. Reise in die Aequinoctial-Gegenden des neuen Continents. Band 1. H. Hauff, Translated by; Vol. 1. Cotta. http://www.deutschestex tarchiv.de/book/show/humboldt_aequinoktial01_1859

[8] Broocks, Anne-Katrin, Maria-José Barragán-Paladines, Indira Nolivos, and Anna-Katharina Hornidge. 2025. “Mimicry Worlds in Ecuador’s Mangroves: The (Post)Colonial Power of Science in Mangrove Conservation and Development.” Environmental Sociology, June, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/23251042.2025.2511478.

[9] Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Gordon N Ajonina, A Aldrie Amir, Dominic A Andradi-Brown, Irfan Aziz, Thorsten Balke, Edward B Barbier, et al. 2020. “Public Perceptions of Mangrove Forests Matter for Their Conservation.” Frontiers in Marine Science 7 (November). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.603651.

[10] Spalding, M., & Parrett, C. L. (2019). Global patterns in mangrove recreation and tourism. Marine Policy, 110, 103540–103540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103540

[11] Dahdouh-Guebas, F., Hugé, J., Abuchahla, G. M. O., Cannicci, S., Jayatissa, L. P., Kairo, J. G., Kodikara Arachchilage, S., Koedam, N., Mafaziya Nijamdeen, T. W. G. F., Mukherjee, N., Poti, M., Prabakaran, N., Ratsimbazafy, H. A., Satyanarayana, B., Thavanayagam, M., Vande Velde, K., & Wodehouse, D. (2021). Reconciling nature, people and policy in the mangrove social-ecological system through the adaptive cycle heuristic. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 248, 106942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106942

Author biography

Dr. Sabrina Dookie is a lecturer and mangrove ecologist attached to the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus (Department of Biology). Her research interests include mangrove restoration, microbial functionality in mangroves, ecophysiological adaptations of mangroves in stressed environments, coastal and marine life management, hydroperiod and sedimentation dynamics, sustainable forestry management, and traditional ecological knowledge and its applications.