Mangrove forests thrive in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical coasts. They have several ecological, socioeconomical, and physical functions that are essential in maintaining biodiversity and protecting human populations. Their complex architecture, combined with their location on the edge of land and sea, makes mangrove forests strategic greenbelts that have a doubly protective function. They protect seaward habitats against influences from land, and they protect the landward coastal zone against influences from the ocean. The tsunami that occurred on December 26, 2004, revealed the valuable buffering functions of mangroves.