China has introduced its first national standards for the ecological restoration of mangroves, as reported by
CGTN, a partner of TV BRICS. Developed by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the newly implemented guidelines provide a unified framework for mangrove restoration and evaluation, addressing the previous lack of standardised procedures.

Mangrove forests, which thrive in intertidal zones, serve as essential buffers against coastal erosion, support marine biodiversity, and play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. However, the increasing impact of climate change, including rising sea levels and temperature anomalies, along with human activities such as pollution and land conversion, has led to substantial degradation of these ecosystems.

China has been actively expanding its mangrove coverage as part of broader environmental conservation efforts. The Mangrove Protection and Restoration Action Plan (2020-2025), launched in 2020, aims to increase the country’s mangrove area from 27,100 hectares to 36,000 hectares by 2025. This initiative aligns with China’s national “dual carbon” strategy, which prioritises reducing carbon emissions while enhancing ecological resilience.

The newly established standards introduce precise methodologies for mangrove restoration across diverse habitats. They outline best practices for species selection, plant configuration, and microbial community management, ensuring that restoration efforts are ecologically sound and scientifically validated.

Additionally, the standards incorporate detailed assessment protocols to evaluate restoration outcomes, providing a structured approach to measuring effectiveness and ensuring compliance with national environmental regulations.

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