 This study examined the effects of fragmentation on Ecuador's coastal mangroves. It found that mangrove fragmentation is widespread throughout the country, but that it varies significantly by location. In particular, the Galapagos Islands showed minimal fragmentation, while the mainland coast experienced severe fragmentation. Additionally, the study found that mangrove fragmentation is driven primarily by fisheries, particularly shrimp farms, rather than agricultural development. Finally, the study concluded that focusing solely on mangrove deforestation rates when determining conservation priorities can lead to misleading results, as mangrove fragmentation can also have negative consequences for ecosystem functioning. This article was authored by Julio J. Jaramillo, Carlos E. Rivas, José Oteros, and others.