Are These Trees the Key to the Climate Change Crisis?

Mangrove restoration is combating climate change and supporting local livelihoods

My dad used to work for a businessman who had one of the biggest aquariums I have ever seen. Since I grew up in South America, it replicated an Amazonic river, mesmerizing me.

Later, as an independent adult, I became obsessed with aquariums. However, after getting my scuba diving license, my attention turned towards saltwater ecosystems. The idea of being able to grow coral at home blew my mind, so what started as a curiosity turned into an obsession and hobby.

Before you ask, let me tell you that I’m very picky about what I put in my saltwater aquarium. Because I don’t want to promote unethical practices, I do my best to ensure specimens come from aquarium colonies instead of wild-caught.

After I had been in this world for a while, I visited a store that blew my mind. Next to the aquariums, they had tanks with little trees growing in them. Since I was raised in a tropical country, I immediately recognized them: mangroves. I asked the store manager and explained that they help keep your tank clean by capturing nutrients, sort of a natural filtration system.

After a while, I was at a beach in Florida when I saw some mangrove seedlings ashore. The closest mangrove forests were quite far away, and there was no way there would reach them and successfully grow, so I decided to experiment: I planted them in a tank next to my main display. They grew fast, and my water had never been so clean. I have had them for many years; my little ecosystem thrives with them!

After this, I became obsessed with mangroves. I was happy to find out that this group of plants is also being used as a strategy to fight climate change. Many nonprofit organizations are developing projects aimed at restoring mangrove ecosystems through what they call “blue carbon” initiatives, and the results are quite promising.

“Blue carbon” refers to the carbon captured and stored by the world’s oceanic and coastal ecosystems, primarily mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. These ecosystems sequester carbon much faster than terrestrial forests, making them an ally in the fight against climate change. Among them, mangroves play a particularly significant role due to their unique ability to thrive in saline waters and their complex root systems that stabilize coastlines and protect against erosion.

But mangroves are not just ordinary trees that grow along the coastlines; they are extraordinary in capturing and storing carbon. Their dense root systems trap organic material and sediments, which are buried in the soil. This process allows mangroves to sequester up to five times more carbon than tropical rainforests, making them essential in reducing greenhouse gases.

For instance, a World Bank study found that a mangrove restoration project in Indonesia could absorb 11 metric tonnes of CO2 per year. Similarly, mangrove ecosystems in Belize are projected to safeguard up to 41.1 million metric tons of carbon. These figures underscore the significant impact of protecting and restoring mangrove forests on global carbon levels.

A compelling example of a community-driven blue carbon strategy can be found in the efforts of the Mtangawanda Women’s Association in Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago. This group of women, led by the energetic Zulfa Hassan, known locally as “Mama Mikoko” or “Mother Mangrove,” has made remarkable strides in restoring and protecting mangroves in their area.

The women’s association was established to address the rapid loss of mangroves due to logging and other destructive activities. Over the years, these women have become experts in mangrove restoration. To date, they have planted over 50,000 seedlings and restored more than 30 acres of mangroves. Their efforts help sequester carbon, protect their coastlines from erosion, and provide habitats for fish and other marine life. Tell me about ecosystem engineers!

The work of these women also highlights the socio-economic benefits that projects such as mangrove restoration can bring to many communities worldwide. By replanting mangroves, they restore fisheries, improve water quality, and support ecotourism. Moreover, their efforts empower women, providing them with new roles and sources of income. See the video below and understand the meaningful impact these projects have on these women’s lives.

However, the benefits of mangrove restoration go beyond carbon sequestration. Mangroves protect lives and property and act as natural barriers against storm surges and coastal erosion. For example, during Hurricane Irma, mangroves in Florida saved an estimated $1.5 billion in storm surge-related damages and protected around 626,000 people from flooding.

In the other hand, Belize’s government has set ambitious targets for mangrove protection and restoration as part of its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. By 2030, Belize aims to protect an additional 12,000 hectares and restore 4,000 hectares of mangroves. These efforts are expected to sequester significant amounts of carbon, enhance fisheries, boost tourism, and reduce coastal hazards in the country.

Furthermore, research indicates that protecting the remaining 64,000 hectares of mangroves in Belize could preserve up to 41.1 million metric tons of carbon, protect 800,000 pounds of spiny lobster catch annually, and support 4,000 tourists, generating substantial economic benefits. Restoration of 13,000 hectares could increase carbon stocks by 1.67 million metric tons and draw 20,000 visitors annually. The numbers are astonishing.

However, despite the clear benefits, mangrove restoration faces several challenges. Habitat loss, changes in freshwater flow, pollution, and climate change pose significant threats to mangroves. Sea-level rise and reduced freshwater flow, in particular, can lead to the collapse of peat soil that mangroves rely on, transforming these areas into open water instead of forest.

Efforts like the Everglades restoration in Florida aim to address these challenges by improving freshwater flow to maintain healthy mangrove ecosystems. Similarly, international collaborations, such as the Global Mangrove Alliance, are working to protect and restore mangrove habitats worldwide, increasing the carbon sequestration potential worldwide.

Blue carbon strategies, particularly mangrove restoration, are proving powerful for combating climate change and supporting local communities. The story of the Kenyan women demonstrates the potential of community-driven initiatives to achieve significant environmental and socio-economic benefits whilst advancing our climate change mitigation strategies. As countries like Belize incorporate blue carbon strategies into their climate action plans, we can look forward to a future where mangroves help us achieve communities and ecosystems that are more resilient to the ongoing effects of climate change.

Understanding and supporting blue carbon strategies can help mitigate climate change, protect coastal ecosystems, and empower communities worldwide. It still blows my mind that the curiosity sparked by my excitement to grow a healthy saltwater aquarium allowed me to learn so much about these amazing species and how many organizations are using them to increase our resilience in an uncertain future.