Climate Change Resilience with Focus on Coastal Ecosystems: Mangroves and Beach Forests

Abstract

The coastal ecosystems of mangroves and beach forests are key to Climate Change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) through their services of coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and provision of seedlings of pioneering (beach forest) species for lowland reforestation. The paper discusses science-based CCAM interventions that combine my formal training in marine biology and the need for coastal protection in the local communities where my environmental NGO operates. These initiatives include mangrove ecoparks, ecologically sound mangrove rehabilitation, coastal greenbelts of mangroves and beach forests, reversion of abandoned fishponds to mangroves, and beach forest nursery. It gives recommendations to government agencies and non-government organizations alike to protect mangroves as ecoparks, establish protective coastal greenbelts, and revert abandoned fishponds to mangroves.