Mangroves are often called the rain forests by the sea and are one of the most productive wetland ecosystems on earth. Yet they are also one of the most endangered. In the last decade alone mangroves have been disappearing faster than inland tropical forests - and with far less fanfare.

Once covering three quarters of tropical and subtropical coastlines, less than 50% of mangrove forests remain today. The charcoal and timber industries, shrimp aquaculture and pollution are among the major threats to these ecosystem, even while mounting evidence suggests that mangrove forests provide life-saving buffers for coastal villages against tropical storm damage.

Post Indian Ocean tsunami, interest in mangrove ecology and conservation is booming. Photographer Tim Laman has travelled all over the tropics and subtropics to document their natural history, human impact, cultural connections and conservation efforts.

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