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Mangrove restoration

Mangroves provide vital protection to coastlines by reducing erosion and buffering communities from storm surges and hurricanes. Acting as ‘bioshields’, mangroves have been proven to attenuate wave energy, and are one of the most effective forces in protecting coastlines and communities from the risks of flooding and storm damage. Mangrove restoration can entail the planting of new mangroves, but maintaining existing mangrove forests is just as important. 

Actions include:

  • Cleaning of water channels (plastic removal) to maintain water flow and runoff
  • Dig channels, careful dredging in mangroves to increase water circulation
  • Reducing upstream sediment inflow
  • Removing invasive species

Feasibility & Local Applicability

Site specific studies are needed to estimate the specific benefits and limits of a mangrove forests’ protective function. In the case of afforestation of forests that are largely lost, species should be carefully selected. While large scale restoration projects may not be viable in most Caribbean contexts, due to high levels of coastal development, even small scale restoration projects can already be beneficial to communities and assets 

Co-benefits

Mangrove forests foster high levels of biodiversity. They serve as habitats and nurseries for fish, shellfish and birds. They are often vital for local fisheries and serve as an additional resiliency for nearby coral reefs. In addition, they serve as biofilters, trapping sediments from upland runoff, ensuring better water quality – this functions only up to certain amount of sediment. Finally, they act as carbon sinks, storing CO2 through sedimentation and uptake. 

Communities can benefit economically from mangroves, as they attract tourists. In their function as carbon sinks, communities can engage in increasingly popular blue carbon credit initiatives. Mangrove forests are of value for wellbeing and enjoyable living spaces.

Equity & Vulnerability Considerations

In some contexts, coastal communities may be highly dependent on mangrove forests for their livelihoods. It is therefore important to consider how benefits of mangrove restoration may be distributed. How and by whom mangrove areas or parks are governed and who as access to their resources. Especially when implementing payment for ecosystem services or Carbon Credit approaches, procedural and distribution issues are pertinent.  Furthermore, it is important to consider which areas are prioritized for restoration efforts, taking into account which communities are most at risk.  Work with coastal communities; youth jobs; avoid shifting risks.

Costs

Medium | Research has shown that the effective management of mangroves could be 2-6 times less expensive than other commonly used grey options, (such as submerged breakwaters) 

Case studies & Examples

Literature

Adaptation Options Overview