Science Bulletins: Mangroves and Shrimp: Finding Balance

Mangrove trees live in the saltwater fringes of tropical coastlines. Although they provide important economic benefits for coastal communities, mangroves in Southeast Asia are often destroyed and replaced with profitable rice paddies, coconut palm plantations, and shrimp farms. A new study by an international team of economists and ecologists weighs the value of mangrove forests and shrimp farming in Thailand to understand how best to preserve this unique ecosystem.