The basic assumption behind our work is that there is a critical minimum width of a coastal mangrove forest strip to keep its ability to stay stable or, once surpassing
the minimum width, to promote sedimentation. The larger the width the more efficient the attenuation of waves and currents will be, offering both a successful seedling and sedimentary environment. Our analysis of available data both
from literature and from satellite observations supports our basic assumption: an average critical width of 140 m is found for the southeastern and eastern Mekong Delta coast as a minimum width to sustain a healthy mangrove forest.