Guyana’s Mangrove Restoration Project

Creation of new green areas, Coastal landscape management or protection, Improved governance of green or blue areas

Guyana is particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise stemming from climate change, plus regional shifts in the height of the sea. Close to 80 per cent of Guyana's population lives in the low–lying coastal region. In fact, some of the historically habitable sections are already below sea level and by 2100, scientists project a global sea-level rise of 2.6 feet (80 centimetres)—and as much as 6.6 feet (2 meters). For example, the 2005 flood was concentrated in the most heavily populated regions of the country, resulting in some 274,774 persons or 37% of the national population being severely affected by the floodwaters. The flooding event claimed the lives of 34 persons. The government of Guyana estimated that the mean annual temperature in Georgetown increased by 1.0°C within the last century. Climate change' effects require complex solutions and as such the government's aim was to help build up the coastal nation’s natural sea defences. More precisely the goals of the intervention were: 1. To increase the recovery of the mangroves along the Guyanese coast, including: introducing alternative restoration methodologies, such as planting coastal grass species, constructing fences to control grazing, hydrologic restoration 2. To conduct a biodiversity assessment of mangrove sites that can be used as a baseline for future assessments and as the basis for future management plans for these areas. 3. To develop effective protection and/or rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems (a soft, low-cost option for augmenting the country’s sea defence system) 4. To increase public awareness and education on the benefits of the mangrove forests 5. To counteract the decrease in the yield of crops as temperature increases in different parts of Guyana 6. To reduce and prevent coastal erosion by implementing mangroves which act as wave breakers to protect coasts, coastal communities and infrastructure from the onslaught of strong waves and winds. 7. To provide excellent habitat for different types of plants and animals and prevent loss of biodiversity 8. To mitigate climate change (carbon sequestration through reforestation and forest preservation) and adapt to its effects (sea defence, biodiversity). (1,2,3,4)

Prior to the intervention technical research aimed at resolving some of the overall and critical questions underlying the issues of mangrove loss and restoration was essential. Key topics concerning the ecology of Guyana's mangroves, such as the impact of agricultural pollution; the best practices for planting and the causes of sudden erosional loss, pest, and disease among others, have not been answered in the specific context of the Guyana coast. As the project found its feet and technical experts were brought in, better monitoring protocols were introduced and more training carried out. Before a site is selected, research was carried out: the section was measured using GPS and the soil elevation was checked to see if it is conducive to mangrove planting. The work doesn’t end there: measurements were carried out quarterly in the first year of planting, twice in year two, and annually thereafter. A core activity under the Mangrove Management Action Plan is the rehabilitation of mangrove fields. This element of the programme involves selecting existing mangrove forests for protection and identifying sites that are more difficult to rehabilitate but are of high value in terms of sea defence. Mangrove seedlings are being planted along different sections of coastline.(2,3,5)

• National-level government
• Local government/Municipality
• Researchers/University
• Citizens or community groups