Mangroves in Gabon • Earth.com

Today’s Image of the Day comes thanks to the NASA Earth Observatory and features a look at mangroves in Gabon.

The map uses a variety of satellite radar data to model the varying heights of the mangrove trees in Africa. The dark green corresponds to the tallest mangrove canopies, which can stretch up to 200 feet tall in some areas.

Although mangroves only make up about 3% of total global forest cover, they are among the most-carbon rich forests. As such, mangrove loss can account for up to 10% of global carbon emissions caused by deforestation.

By Rory Arnold, Earth.com Staff Writer

Source: NASA Earth Observatory

News coming your way
The biggest news about our planet delivered to you each day