Mangroves (Global Mangrove Watch)
This layer maps the global extent of mangrove forests as of 2020.
Category: Transition risks · Sensitive areas · Critical areas Coverage: Global Format: Boundary polygons Used in risk analysis: Yes — gates Sensitive areas
What it shows
This layer maps the global extent of mangrove forests as of 2020. Mangroves are sensitive coastal habitats that provide outsized ecosystem services — coastal protection against storms and erosion, carbon storage, and habitat for fish and other species. Sites located within or near mapped mangroves face heightened sensitivity for nature-related screening, both because of the conservation value at stake and the potential for operations to affect these habitats.
How it is built
The layer uses the Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) v3 dataset, which delineates worldwide mangrove cover for 2020. Mangrove extent is derived from satellite imagery — combining radar observations (ALOS PALSAR) with optical imagery (Landsat) — to identify and map mangrove forests at a fine resolution of roughly 25 metres. The result is a set of polygons representing where mangroves are present, suitable for intersecting against site locations.
How to read it
This is a presence layer rather than a graded score. A site that falls within, or close to, a mapped mangrove polygon is flagged as intersecting a sensitive coastal habitat. The absence of a polygon means no mangrove was mapped at that location in 2020. The layer is best used for proximity and overlap screening rather than for ranking severity.
Source
Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) v3, mangrove extent for 2020, derived from ALOS PALSAR and Landsat imagery. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Comparison with the WWF Risk Filter Suite
There is no standalone mangrove indicator in the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter. This layer relates to the WWF "Other Important Delineated Areas" theme (BRF S14_4) and to coastal ecosystem-condition screening, supporting the identification of sensitive and protected/important habitats rather than serving as a distinct WWF risk indicator. It is best viewed as a Darwin habitat-screening extension that complements WWF's area-based indicators.
Risk analysis
A site is flagged on a dimension by combining a proximity trigger (this layer) with an activity trigger (the entity's ENCORE pressure/service). Proximity only → Potentially material; proximity and the matching ENCORE pressure/service is material → Very material; neither → Not material.
| Dimension | ENCORE service / pressure | Proximity trigger (this layer) | Activity trigger (entity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitive areas | Sensitive area disturbance | Site overlaps / is near the feature | impact ratio ≥ 10%; “Disturbances (e.g noise, light)” pressure ≥ 4; “Introduction of invasive species” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of freshwater use” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of seabed use” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of land use” pressure ≥ 4; “Other biotic resource extraction (e.g. fish, timber)” pressure ≥ 4; “Volume of water use” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of non-GHG air pollutants” pressure ≥ 4; “Generation and release of solid waste” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of toxic soil and water pollutants” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of nutrient soil and water pollutants” pressure ≥ 4 |
Generated from darwin/layers/layer-mangroves-global-mangrove-watch.toml and risk_indicator_pairs.toml (develop).