As forests, mangroves are very adaptable and can handle a lot of disturbances.

“I don’t support planting mangroves; instead, I support finding entire answers to the problems that mangroves face” says Dr. Judith Okello, a senior study scientist and mangrove ecologist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute.

When you plant, “you don’t get to do what nature wants. Instead, you tend to do what you think nature wants.” Add Dr Okello.

Listen to how Kenyan women have rehabilitated mangroves in south coast Kenya. 

But with the rising temperatues, the sea level has been steadily rising along the coasts of Africa for forty years. The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies says that the sea level will rise by 0.3 metres by 2030, which will affect 117 million people in Africa.

Coastal flooding and erosion are caused by rising sea levels. Habitats along the coast, like mangroves, corals, and seaweeds, that naturally protect the shore from storm waves are also being lost.

As the weather gets warmer, ecosystems like mangroves are more important for keeping coastal towns safe from wind and big waves. Mangroves are dying out at a worrisome rate around the world because of threats. What is the ideal way to protecting these ecosystems sustainably?