Guinea Bissau Mangroves
Wetlands International and local communities are restoring 270 hectares of mangroves in Guinea Bissau
Guinea Bissau is seeing the restoration of 270 hectares of mangroves, thanks to the efforts of Wetlands International and local communities. The restoration campaign, which began on 27 August and will continue until 10 September, aims to restore degraded mangrove areas across the country, with a wider target of restoring 1,000 hectares of degraded mangroves.
Ecological Restoration Approach
The campaign uses an ecological restoration approach that works with nature, rather than simply planting trees. This approach, known as Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) or Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR), aims to understand and address the conditions that prevent mangroves from naturally returning. The intervention consists of removing obstacles and supporting natural processes, allowing mangroves to regenerate and establish themselves again.
Collaboration with Communities
The restoration activities were launched in three local settlements, bringing together strong community participation and providing an opportunity to demonstrate restoration techniques. Community members can see how restoration works in practice, discuss the reasons why mangroves have disappeared, and learn about the actions needed to help restore natural conditions for mangrove regeneration.
Restoring the Right Places
Not every degraded area is suitable for restoration. Sites selected for restoration meet a set of criteria, including being former rice fields or degraded areas where mangroves are unlikely to recover without support. The sites must also be free from other restoration projects and land or resource-use disputes, and have the informed consent of landowners and resource users.
Monitoring Recovery
Wetlands International is regularly monitoring changes in vegetation, water flow, and natural regeneration in the restoration sites. This monitoring helps the restoration teams understand whether the mangroves are recovering as expected and whether the restoration techniques are working. The teams can then adapt their approach over time, identifying where additional support may be needed.
The current campaign represents another step in a longer restoration journey in Guinea-Bissau, combining ecological restoration with community participation to strengthen local understanding and ownership of restoration. According to the source, Wetlands International, the programme seeks not only to bring mangroves back but also to strengthen local livelihoods. The mangrove restoration programme in Guinea Bissau is supported by various partners and donors, including Greenchoice and DOB Ecology.
