Mangrove ecosystems provide critical ecological functions and socio-economic benefits worldwide yet remain among the most threatened coastal habitats. Although global assessments indicate a recent transition from net mangrove loss to slight net gain, this trend is not consistent across regions. In the Maldives, mangroves are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and face increasing pressure from multiple anthropogenic stressors, including infrastructure development, land reclamation, improper waste disposal, and plastic pollution, alongside recent climate-driven dieback which affect approximatively 26% of mangrove-containing islands.

Despite the strong dependence of Small Island Developing States on mangroves for livelihoods, food security, and coastal protection, ecological knowledge of species distribution patterns in the Maldives remains limited. Unlike large estuarine systems, where longitudinal gradients in salinity and inundation strongly structure vegetation communities, Maldivian mangroves occur as small, fragmented stands scattered across heterogeneous coastal habitats. This study investigated habitat preferences and environmental constraints shaping the distribution of five dominant mangrove species across 40 sites in the Maldives, including embayment, pond-based, and marsh-based systems.

Significant associations between species occurrence and habitat type were detected for all species (Chi-square tests, p < 0.05). Bruguiera cylindrica was strongly associated with marsh-based habitats, whereas B. gymnorrhiza was less frequent there. Lumnitzera racemosa occurred most frequently in pond-based mangroves and was more often found in low to intermediate salinity conditions. In contrast, Rizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal were predominantly associated with embayment habitats characterized by high salinity.

These findings suggest that habitat type and associated hydrological conditions act as important environmental filters shaping mangrove species distribution in the Maldives. This study provides baseline ecological information for evidence-based conservation, restoration, and management strategies under ongoing anthropogenic and climate-related pressures.