Asia's mangrove areas, the region's vital frontline shield against tidal waves and tsunamis, are gradually but consistently disappearing. What were once lush mangrove swamps have been obliterated to give way to the construction of coastal roads, resorts and other structures, fishponds, and other business concerns. Mangroves line eight percent of the world's coasts and about one-fourth of the world's tropical coastlines, covering a surface area approximately 181,000 square kilometers (about 18 million hectares), according to statistics compiled by international agencies, among them the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UN Environment Program (UNEP), World Bank (WB), and World Resources Institue (WRI).

Fernandez, R. A. (2005, January 23). Asia's natural shield against tsunamis disappearing. The Philippine Star, p. 2.