In 1902, Hawaii introduced red mangroves to stabilize shorelines; 124 years later, the invasive trees clog waterways and degrade habitat used by endangered native waterbirds

• Representative image of Hawaii from CanvaIn 1902, red mangroves were brought to Hawaii with an apparently practical purpose.
• Their tangled roots could hold soil in place, reduce erosion and stabilise shorelines around vulnerable coastal areas.
• At the time, the trees seemed like a useful solution for an island environment shaped by waves, storms and shifting sediment.