SciencePhoto: HT WorldRed Mangroves Introduced in 1902 Spread Across Hawaii, Threatening Endangered Birds
In 1902, red mangroves were introduced to Molokai, Hawaii, to stabilize coastal mudflats and prevent soil erosion. Originally absent from Hawaii, these trees spread rapidly beyond their planting sites, reaching nearly all major Hawaiian islands by the late 20th century. While effective at trapping sediment, their spread has reduced habitats for endangered waterbirds, illustrating unintended ecological consequences.
HT World··Molokai


