Brazilian researchers have developed an index capable of measuring the health of mangrove soils at different stages of conservation and recovery. The tool uses a scale from 0 to 1 to evaluate essential soil processes, such as nutrient cycling, carbon dynamics, and contaminant retention.

The results show that preserved mangroves have the highest index values, while degraded areas register very low scores. Restored regions, in turn, indicate gradual recovery, demonstrating that restoration can restore important ecosystem services.

The study highlights the importance of mangroves for carbon storage, coastal protection, and biodiversity maintenance — key topics in discussions promoted by the Brazilian Society of Soil Science (SBCS).

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