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Mangroves could save the world

July 26, 2018 por Cristina Calderón Leave a Comment


Did you know that mangroves are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet? Today we celebrate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, but not all is celebration, current estimates show that 67% of mangroves have been lost, and nearly all will be lost over the next 100 years if we don’t take drastic measures now.

Mangroves are essential ecosystems that help advance food security, offer protection from storms and tsunamis, and sea level rise. They also provide habitats for endangered marine species and other animals that depend on them for their survival. But most importantly, they help the world by absorbing and storing significant amounts of coastal blue carbon which is essential to mitigate climate change. Mangroves are superheroes.

But, what is a Mangrove? According to the Smithsonian Mangroves are survivors. They are woody trees that live along sheltered coastlines. They all share the unique capability of growing within reach of sea tides and have evolved special adaptations that enable them to survive in salty and oxygen-poor soil, conditions that will quickly kill most plants.

Mangrove forests have other special quality, they are excellent at absorbing and storing carbon from the atmosphere. These are among the most carbon-rich forests in the world. When mangrove trees grow, they take the carbon from carbon dioxide and use it for themselves. When the leaves fall to the seafloor and are buried in the soil, they take the stored carbon with them. This buried carbon is called blue carbon because it is underwater and when degraded or lost, the ecosystems that store this carbon can become significant emission sources. Now, remember we only have 33% of mangrove forests left, and mangrove deforestation is estimated to be around 10% of global deforestation, this is going to be a disaster. Okay, let’s not be alarmists (although we should). There is still time to change the trend and stop threatening mangrove forests. Countries are realizing the importance of these ecosystems and are working on ways to protect them.

 The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has been working hard with our member countries to protect mangrove forest ecosystems in the region. The “Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program” in Bahamas, is building resilience to coastal risks through the sustainable coastal protection infrastructure. This program will also finance science-based shoreline stabilization and restoration of coastal natural habits such as mangroves and reefs.

So, as you can see, mangroves can literally save the world. Multilateral Development Banks and other international organizations, such as Conservation International (CI), are working with local and national governments  to promote coastal and marine policy that will ensure the long-term conservation of mangrove ecosystems. Happy International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem!

Continue reading: What are the 5 superpowers or mangroves?

 


Filed Under: Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Uncategorized

Cristina Calderón

Cristina Calderón se incorporó al BID en enero de 2016 para apoyar a los equipos de comunicaciones y eventos de la División de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Previamente, trabajó en Open Government Partnership en Washington, D.C., donde contribuyó dando asistencia técnica para estudios sustantivos en elecciones y cambios de gobierno en los países OGP y asistió en la logística de la Cumbre Global de OGP en la Ciudad de México. Además trabajó en la Misión Permanente de Colombia ante la OEA con el equipo encargado de asuntos políticos y jurídicos. Cristina tiene experiencia en diseño e implementación de estrategias digitales para el sector público y privado, manejo de crisis a través de comunicaciones digitales y desarrollo internacional. Tiene una Licenciatura en Literatura de la Universidad de los Andes en Bogotá, Colombia, y una Maestría en Asuntos Internacionales de The George Washington University en Washington, D.C. Síguela en Twitter @CCalderonRA

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This blog is a space to reflect about the challenges, opportunities and the progress made by Latin American and Caribbean countries on the path towards the region’s sustainable development.

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