Conserving Latin American and Caribbean mangroves: issues and challenges
This is a literature review of the distribution, salient features, uses, and conservation of mangroves in the Caribbean and Latin America. These ecosystems have played a vital role in the development of the region and their value increases as tropical countries develop and commercialize their coastal zones. Unfortunately, markets ignore or underestimate the value of products and non market services from mangroves. Science informs and improves the effectiveness of the conservation of mangroves. Professional management with participation of all sectors of society also benefits the conservation of mangroves. Understanding mangrove ecosystems requires consideration of multiple spatial and temporal scales and attention to paradoxes that can lead to ineffective conservation measures. The review includes guidelines for mangrove restoration and conservation.