Communities In Kwale Unite To Restore Degraded Mangroves For a Climate-Resilient Future

By Arasha Soila

Kwale County, Kenya: The road along Kwale County is a worthy stop-off in its own right. Nestled along the stretches of white sand southern coast of Kenya, Funzi Island emerges with lush greenery and a striking shade of emerald blue from its clear warm waters.

But there’s more to Funzi than just its beaches. The mangroves on the island tell a story of resilience and life. These special trees have oval, tough leaves and skinny branches that stretch toward the sun, growing as tall as 27 meters. What sets them apart are their twisted roots that grow from the bottom of the tree into the salty water, making them different from other trees that always stay green. These mangroves aren’t just trees; they’re warriors in the battle against climate change. They are a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

In this coastal village, we meet Mwajuma Vuyaa, a resilient conservationist with a smile and a heart full of determination. She leads a group of 40 community members who have recognized the urgency of climate action and have taken it upon themselves to combat the impacts of a changing climate by planting mangroves. As we set foot on the sandy shores of Funzi, Mwajuma welcomes us, ready to share their story of planting hope.

“Motivated by a deep sense of responsibility and guided by the belief that small actions can lead to significant change, the local community members embarked on a journey to revive the mangrove forests. As we began the conservation efforts, we discovered the transformative power of unity on climate change mitigation,” she says. She continues by narrating that from the ashes of degradation emerged a community-driven initiative, a beacon of hope for the revival of mangrove forests and the preservation of the delicate ecosystems they harbor.

According to Mwajuma, their concern for mangrove conservation was fueled by the subtle signs of change—degraded trees, shrinking habitats, and the haunting reality of climate change inching closer to their doorstep. “It’s about more than just trees,” Mwajuma shares, “Mangroves are our guardians against the storm, both literally and figuratively. They’re the silent heroes in our fight against climate change”.

She continues by illustrating that in terms of erosion, the mangroves can hold together the water to prevent flooding. “They protect coastal communities from storms and tsunamis which can lead to the destruction of houses and agricultural farms. The mangroves act as barriers preventing hurricanes from destroying homes and even deaths of people” the mangrove conservationist says.  

“Furthermore, our efforts to rehabilitate mangroves have protected against the force of large ocean waves and tides, preventing the graves from being washed away. Initially, coastal floods carried away all the mangroves, and the water moved dangerously close to the graves near the shores. However, following the mangrove restoration efforts, there is no need for concern, as the mangroves now serve as a natural barrier, absorbing the water and ensuring it does not reach the graveyards.” she expounds.

“Our project partner, Vlinder Umita, has significantly played a big role in educating our community on how to plant the mangroves. This includes guidance on selecting suitable locations, considering that some mangroves thrive in muddy areas while others prefer rocky environments. Their expertise in mangrove conservation guides the project’s implementation,” she explains. They have also continuously supported our initiative by buying the mangrove seedlings which again we plant together in this area.

Athman Kitusa, a local environmentalist and a member of the Funzi group says, that their involvement with the Beach Management Units (BMU) has seen them reforesting degraded mangroves, particularly in locations affected by logging and where they were non-existent. “We have witnessed how climatic changes have greatly impacted the marine species in this area. Specifically, the fish have reduced in number. By restoring mangroves, we aim to create and increase breeding sites for the species. 

                Members of the Funzi group plating mangrove trees on Funzi island

The Funzi group aims to restore a total of 30,000 mangroves yearly. Among the species they aim to restore are the Ceriops Tagal, Avicennia Mucronata, and Rhizophora Mucronata. Mechanisms are also in place to continuously involve the local community in mangrove conservation around the Funzi area. As the driving force behind the local grassroots initiative, Mwajuma vividly articulates the urgent need for financial assistance to safeguard and restore mangrove ecosystems.

  With an unwavering commitment to making a difference, she calls on potential supporters including the county government to join hands in ensuring the continued success of this conservation effort. Stating a clear vision of the positive impact that these contributions can achieve, she urges these organizations to invest in purchasing mangrove seedlings from them. This move, she says, will open new avenues of income, especially for the women who lead community-based organizations in climate change mitigation.

Mangroves are a significant global carbon store and sink with the largest average carbon stocks per unit area of any terrestrial or marine ecosystem. Their extensive root networks sequester 10 times as much carbon as other forests. The submerged roots, known as pneumatophores, facilitate gas exchange and provide a substrate for microorganisms. These root systems also trap and accumulate organic matter, including carbon, in the sediment below. Mangrove sediments are rich in organic carbon due to the accumulation of decomposed plant material. These soils, known as “blue carbon” ecosystems, store substantial amounts of carbon beneath the water surface.

According to a report by UNEP, the global average carbon stock of mangroves is around 1000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, including soil carbon. Loss and degradation of mangrove forests result in massive greenhouse gas emissions, and it has been estimated that emissions resulting from mangrove losses have resulted in economic damages of billions of dollars annually. Emissions resulting from mangrove losses make up nearly one-fifth of global emissions from deforestation resulting in economic damages of $6-42 billion annually. Conservation and restoration efforts focused on mangroves contribute not only to biodiversity but also to global carbon balance and climate resilience.

Dorcas Wakio, a climate activist based in Kwale and the founder of Mazingira Pamoja Initiative says, “Globally, mangrove forests have been exploited and degraded mainly by human activities such as cutting down trees for furniture and firewood for cooking. According to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, approximately 87% of Kwale County’s households use mangrove wood as fuelwood and building material. The climate activist adds that communities often inquire about alternative sources of income if they were to cease cutting down mangrove trees. Emphasizing the need for the government to reconsider its financing approach, the activist suggests offering practical and sustainable solutions. “This approach would contribute to diminishing the excessive reliance on the mangrove ecosystem for resources”. 

The success of the Mazingira Pamoja Initiative has not gone unnoticed. “Collaboration with the local communities around the coastlines including the Funzi group and the Beach Management Units (BMUs) has greatly contributed to the success of our efforts to restore mangrove trees,” Wakio asserts. This collaborative approach is amplifying the impact of their conservation initiatives. She underscores the transformative potential of grassroots initiatives in the fight against climate change.

Dorcas Wakio restoring mangroves in degraded areas

“Lack of financial support from the government is our main challenge in implementing the mangrove conservation project. With limited access to funding in the county levels, our projects cannot be implemented,” she says. Wakio reiterates by stating that ahead of COP 28, they are hoping that leaders from different parts of the world will take action and dedicate their financial commitments and support loss and damage initiatives. The activist calls for collective action, stressing that the preservation of mangroves is not merely an environmental duty but a shared responsibility for the well-being of communities, marine life, and the broader ecosystem

According to a report by The Global Centre on Adaptation, without adaptation finance, it is estimated that Africa could lose out on as much as $6 trillion of economic benefits as a result of climate-related disasters. The global adaptation funding gap is widening, mainly driven by higher costs of adaptation finance given accelerating climate impacts compared to earlier estimates and relatively slower growth in adaptation finance flows.

Only 62 out of 160 updated NDCs mention adaptation finance needs, hinting at a higher than estimated adaptation cost of the nearly $1.1 trillion annual requirement. Further, the report states that tracking adaptation finance globally specifically in Africa, is critically important to identify trends, uncover gaps, and set concrete priorities for effective finance flows. Africa urgently requires more than $50 billion annually, approximately 2.5% of its GDP, for adaptation finance to meet its NDC commitments by 2035.

Public financial institutions have a key role to play in closing adaptation funding gaps, yet only a handful have committed to significantly increasing adaptation finance, with Africa often receiving limited attention. These commitments and pledges should be especially focused on the most vulnerable countries that need far more adaptation funding support than they are currently receiving. 

The UNEP Adaptation gap report states that mangrove protection and restoration is central to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) which seeks to galvanize efforts to restore degraded and destroyed eco-systems to enhance food security, clean our air and address the climate crisis and protect habitats that support life on earth.

As the world grapples with rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and unpredictable weather patterns, mangroves emerge as invaluable resources, standing resilient against the forces of environmental uncertainty.