Building With Nature: Mangrove Rehabilitation

Coastal landscape management or protection, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising

Due to "human interference ha[ving] converted mangrove areas to agricultural land, fishing ponds and settlements", the loss of stabilisation provided by the mangroves means that "the coast has become susceptible to flooding and erosion, losing up to 27 meters of land in one year" (Ref. 1). It has caused "displacement of local habitants and loss of livelihoods, [with]...the local population...and its fisheries, farms, and important religious and cultural sites [being] at risk to frequent flooding and land degradation" (Ref. 1). The Building With Nature Mangrove Rehabilitation project therefore sought to assemble Sediment Trapping Units (STUs) at the coast of Weg naar Zee, thereby "reduce[ing] the force of incoming waves and stimulat[ing] the deposition of sediments" (Ref. 2), "with the ultimate goal of stopping land degradation using ecosystem-based adaptation techniques" (Ref. 1).

Through the construction of STUs, sediment is being trapped and allowing for the replanting of mangroves (Ref. 1). As summarised by Ref. 5, "technical measures include sediment balance restoration by permeable dams and mud nourishments, alongside mangrove rehabilitation. Socio-economic measures are currently being developed". Through restoration of previously degraded mangrove habitat (Ref. 1), the project promotes the "provision of ecological functions and services such as shoreline protection against erosion, provision of spawning zones for marine wildlife, nurseries for coastal fisheries and habitat for migratory birds", and also aids climate change mitigation and adaptation since mangroves "capture great amounts of blue carbon and are effective in protecting the low-lying coastal strips from storm surges" (Ref. 2). In addition to reducing erosion of both arable land and sites of religious importance, the project also reduces salinisation of arable land, where "productive activities such as agriculture are already suffering the severe impacts from erosion and flooding events" (Ref. 2). Through "capacity building and public awareness, the communities of Weg naar Zee and surrounding areas will learn about mangrove restoration and maintenance, and the benefits the human population derive from ecosystem restoration projects. Scientific research will also be conducted with the objectives of improving understanding of the biophysical and socio-economic conditions of the changing coastal landscape and developing research products to inform future nature-based adaptation initiatives" (Ref. 1).

• Citizens or community groups
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)