Major oil spill threatens Hara mangrove forests in Persian Gulf

The Hara forests are a vital ecological treasure of the Persian Gulf. Spanning the Strait of Hormuz , these mangrove forests consist mainly of grey mangrove trees ( Avicennia marina ), which have a special filtration system in their roots that allows them to thrive in saline conditions. The same roots also protect the coast against erosion and are voluminous carbon sinks, sequestering significantly more carbon than terrestrial forests.