biostudies-literatureZhang JNational Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)1297https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11790923biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Mangrove loss has reduced its carbon (C) sink function and ecosystem services. To effectively allocate climate finance for mangrove restoration, a thorough assessment of restoration potential is necessary. Here we show a net loss of ecosystem service value (ESV) of 29.2 billion USD ($) due to land changes in mangroves from 1996 to 2019. The estimated mangrove ESV in 2019 amounts to $894 billion yr^-1, mainly provided by regulating and provisioning services (57.4% and 19.7%). Over the next two decades, we project that the restoration of mangroves would necessitate an investment of $40.0-52.1 billion, yielding net gains in ESV of $231-725 billion. The global benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of mangrove restoration ranges from 6.35 to 15.0, demonstrating that such projects are highly cost-eNature communicationsGetting the best of carbon bang for mangrove restoration buck.PMC1179092342471067Zhang JLu ZSanders CJHuang XWang FQin GBai YMacreadie PIYuan JZhou JfalseGetting the best of carbon bang for mangrove restoration buck.Mangrove loss has reduced its carbon (C) sink function and ecosystem services. To effectively allocate climate finance for mangrove restoration, a thorough assessment of restoration potential is necessary. Here we show a net loss of ecosystem service value (ESV) of 29.2 billion USD ($) due to land changes in mangroves from 1996 to 2019. The estimated mangrove ESV in 2019 amounts to $894 billion yr^-1, mainly provided by regulating and provisioning services (57.4% and 19.7%). Over the next two decades, we project that the restoration of mangroves would necessitate an investment of $40.0-52.1 billion, yielding net gains in ESV of $231-725 billion. The global benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of mangrove restoration ranges from 6.35 to 15.0, demonstrating that such projects are highly cost-e2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Feb2025-04-19T16:22:29.609Z2025-04-19T16:22:29.609ZS-EPMC117909233990093310.1038/s41467-025-56587-2