2025 Mangrove Mapping Results

The 2024 hurricane season took a heavy toll on mangroves across Sarasota and Manatee counties, according to the data from our second year of the Mangrove Rangers program. On World Mangrove Day, July 26th, the volunteer rangers gathered at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron to hear the interpreted results, celebrate the hard work they put into collecting data, and celebrate our mighty mangroves. 

As for the results, one of the most striking findings came from a protected site in Sarasota Bay. Last year, it was used as our model site, scoring as one of the healthiest mangrove forests in the region. After the hurricanes, however, nearly half its canopy was lost, dropping its health score from 90 to 59. The health score is composed of two indices: one for canopy volume and one for leaf health. 

Together, these indices provide a snapshot of mangrove health, and in turn, can reveal the functional potential of mangroves.  The loss of canopy at the protected site demonstrated that there isn’t a forest out there protected from Mother Nature and her increasingly powerful storms.  However, it also demonstrates the ability of this coastal forest to serve as the initial defense against powerful winds and waves that are weakened by these majestic trees before reaching inland.

Our survey also illustrated signs of resilience. Site 1 in Sarasota Bay, previously damaged by a sewer pipe break in 2022, showed growth this year, with an 8% increase in canopy volume. Site 3, adjacent to the protected area that lost half of its canopy volume, remained largely intact and now serves as our model forest with the highest canopy volume of all monitored sites. 

We also introduced two new monitoring sites in Palma Sola Bay, located in protected areas. These additions enabled us to compare the impacts more effectively across different land use types and protection statuses. Protected Site 7 ranked among the top performers, indicating strong ecosystem functions such as erosion control, improved water quality, serving as a fish nursery, and providing a bird rookery.  Site 7 resilience in the absence of trimming or development pressure was evident by its health score.  The second protected site, Site 6, exhibited signs of strain, characterized by low canopy volume, which may be attributed to its proximity to a busy road and exposure to the 2024 hurricanes. 

These results highlight the challenges and the hope for mangrove recovery. As storms intensify and development pressures grow, protecting mangroves is more critical than ever. These trees are not just coastal vegetation; they serve as a frontline defense for our communities and a vital lifeline for local biodiversity and the economy.  The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (2023) estimates that flood protection benefits from the remaining mangrove systems in Manatee County amount to $54.3 million per year.

Read a more detailed breakdown of each site HERE.