India, June 25 -- Global mangrove forests, long considered among the world's most threatened ecosystems, are showing an unexpected and encouraging recovery, according to a new study led by researchers at Tulane University in the United States.

Published in the journal Science, the research examined four decades of satellite observations and found that global mangrove forests are no longer in overall decline. After decades of losses caused by deforestation, aquaculture expansion, and coastal development, mangroves are now rebounding in many parts of the world through natural regeneration, restoration efforts, and expansion into newly formed coastal habitats.

The findings offer fresh optimism for mangrove ecosystems that play a critical r...