Mangroves, often perceived as muddy and inconsequential zones, hold untold benefits for humanity, especially in ensuring food security,” said Professor Dr. Izwandy Idris in a compelling interview with The Petri Dish. “Rapid degradation or loss of mangroves puts our food source at risk. Preserving mangroves is essential for the overall health and resilience of our coastal ecosystems,” said the Senior Lecturer at the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). Mangrove ecosystems are vital for food security and climate change mitigation, yet they are often overlooked.
He emphasized that it would be disastrous to ignore the potential consequences of neglecting these vital ecosystems.