The 26th of July marks the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. It might seem odd to have a day dedicated to conserving these particular sea forests, but mangroves are incredibly diverse and essential ecosystems bordering the land and sea. They are also declining at an alarming rate - they represent less than 1% of tropical forests worldwide but are disappearing three to five times faster than other forests.
This month, we spotlight the importance of mangroves and look at our Mozambique and Madagascar projects. Together we can protect and preserve these unique and precious ecosystems and forests for the future of our planet.
Become a monthly donor and support mangrove restoration and nature protection today!
Why are Mangroves special?
Mangroves grow in the salty coastal habitats of the tropics and subtropics and greatly benefit the environment and local communities. These ‘sea trees’ are powerful soil stabilisers and carbon sequesters, as one hectare of mangrove is estimated to store an enormous 3,754 tons of carbon - the equivalent of taking over 2,650 cars off the road. They also act as tidal buffer zones and defend against storms, tsunamis, rising sea levels and soil erosion.
Mangroves are also home to a vibrant biodiversity of plant and animal species, including fish, crustaceans, and critically endangered turtles. A mix of marine species, from rainbow parrot fish to juvenile crocodiles, are known to head to these areas as the mangrove roots create the perfect habitat for nurseries, where young can be protected and grow safely. Our mangroves support thousands of nature’s communities and provide food for monkeys, birds, deer, kangaroos, and many more.
It is not just the environment that benefits from these extraordinary ecosystems. Healthy mangrove forests provide food security and income for coastal communities. Women, in particular, often have a deep knowledge of the local environment and are intimately familiar with the mangroves in their area. They also have a vested interest in preserving these ecosystems for future generations. Still, women are often excluded from decision-making processes related to land management and reforestation, despite studies showing that involving women leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
What is TreeSisters doing?
TreeSisters support mangrove restoration projects in Mozambique and Madagascar, where together with our community partners, we are restoring depleted forests and improving the local biodiversity. These projects are run with a majority female workforce, and training and resources are provided to support women and locals to participate in decision-making while taking on leadership roles. Alongside restoring the unique habitat and biodiversity created by mangroves, we are working to empower women and communities to take an active role in protecting these unique and precious ecosystems.
With your help, we can continue to support our sea forests and create more effective, sustainable solutions for the future of our planet.
Support mangroves and restoration today, donate and play your part in restoring
our planet now.