Mangroves make up a unique ecosystem of plant and animal life. Being highly adapted to the salty and flooded conditions, mangal trees are the only kinds that survive and thrive under these harsh environments of sea-side swamp regions.

A great diversity of wildlife including birds, reptiles, land mammals and fish, are directly dependent on mangroves for habitat, nutrients, and the maintenance of the landscape.

In February 2007, the National Geographic Society published research findings which identified mangal forests as among the most efficient of carbon sinks of all forest ecosystems. This discovery heightened the world's appreciation of this resource given the growing concern for climate change and cleaning the air of greenhouse gases.

After the 2004 Aceh tsunami, it was noted that many of the mangrove forested areas that were hit by the tidal wave were spared from devastation. The forests proved to be natural buffers to destructive forces like wind and water.

Mangrove reforestation (fenced section) as part of counter-erosion measures in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

Clusters of the mangroves are also known to be soil-catchers, preventing erosion and maintaining the landscape. As such, many countries worldwide, especially across Asia and Latin America, have seriously taken on to mangrove reforestation efforts in line with counter-climate change and ocean level rise measures.

Nipa, Avicennia and Rhizophora clusters at the mouth of the Abung River,Tayabas bay, in San Juan, Batangas.