Mangrove, Kenya – CO2 0,3 Tons

Description

This project has successfully established community-based mangrove plantations over an area of 2.5ha in the target area of Gazi Mangrove Forest, Kenya. This area has supported the plantation to grow to more than 50,000 mangroves. The potential for additional mangrove planting in this area is in excess of 5,000,000 mangroves.  The main objective is the restoration of the mangrove ecosystem and income generation along Kenya’s coastal areas.

This project has been designed to benefit coastal communities, such as those who live in coastal areas and depend on natural resources for their livelihoods, as well as those whose settlements, infrastructure, and ecosystems are continually being affected by sea intrusion and natural disasters. Mangrove planting and aquaculture have been prioritized for the poorer and more vulnerable. The project involves a cross-section of government and non-governmental agencies as well as the private sector.

What is a mangrove? A mangrove is a small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water.

Mangroves are adapted to live in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and a complex root system to cope with salt water immersion and wave action. They are adapted to the low-oxygen conditions of waterlogged mud, but are most likely to thrive in the upper half of the intertidal zone.

There is interest in mangrove restoration for several reasons. Mangroves support sustainable coastal and marine ecosystems. They can protect nearby areas from tsunamis and extreme weather events. Mangrove forests are also extremely effective at carbon sequestration and storage and can be used to combat climate change.