Gef-iw5 etps mangroves

R.Expected Global, National, and Local Environmental Benefits

This project seeks to deliver the following multi-scale environmental benefits:

Multi-state cooperation to reduce environmental threats: The project will support the completion and implementation of the CPPS regional mangrove conservation strategy of coordinated direct protection and reef-to-ridge threat reduction by the ETPS countries (including Costa Rica as a cooperating partner). In addition to supporting the policy process, this support will include capacity building and strengthening of regional technical and other networks so that the countries can sustain implementation of this multi-state cooperative agreement. Further, by strengthening national level capacity and actions to address mangrove degradation within the ETPS countries, and by providing regional demonstration projects, the project will build the in-country capacity and foundational actions to ensure effective implementation of the regional CPPS agreement.

Scaling of benefits: A common regional framework between the ETPS countries generates a number of benefits for on-the-ground mangrove conservation. A common technical base through knowledge sharing and trans-boundary coordination towards concerted actions can significantly encourage the application of successful regional planning in any one country across other geographies. It helps facilitate, validate and establish minimum standards and best practices that conform to the international biodiversity and sustainable development conventions adopted by each country. It also provides opportunities to prioritize and leverage counterpart that helps ensure the longevity of mangrove conservation incentives in the region.

Reduced pollution load in international waters from land based sources: The role of mangroves in trapping and processing nutrients, heavy metals, sediments and other pollutants and hence in reducing the pollutant load is now well established (for example Ewel et al 1998, Wang et al 2010). Within the ETPS, mangrove areas receive and trap sediment, contaminants, carbon and nutrients from upstream terrestrial sources and coastal waters, removing these materials from the water hence reducing the pollutant and nutrient load on coral reefs, seagrasses (to a lesser extent in the ETP) and other offshore marine habitats. By increasing mangrove conservation across the region, the project will reduce the pollution and nutrient load from land based sources. Additionally, the project support of regional and national policy addressing terrestrial sources of pollutants impacting mangroves will, in turn, also decrease the pollutant load on other coastal ecosystems.

Restored and sustained coastal and marine ecosystems goods and services: As described above, the mangroves of the ETPS provide essential coastal and marine ecosystem goods and services to the communities of the ETPS countries. This includes globally threatened mangrove species and important habitat, nursery grounds and breeding sites for extensive marine and terrestrially associated biodiversity (Macintosh & Ashton 2002). Recent measurements of carbon storage in Costa Rican mangrove areas suggest that the mangroves in the region have large carbon stores in the biomass and soil that are greater than nearby dry forests and amongst the larger deposits of carbon in mangroves globally (Kauffman, personal comm.). By increasing conservation of mangroves, the project will have immediate benefit for these ecosystem goods and services, including globally relevant biodiversity and the carbon sequestration and storage capacity which reduces global warming.

Reduced vulnerability to climate variability through multi-state cooperation: The role of mangroves in reducing vulnerability to climate variability and other climate-related risks is now well established – along coasts globally they provide coastal protection against storms, reduce coastal erosion and build ecosystem resilience for fisheries and biodiversity critical for livelihoods (Alongi 2007, Barbier 2011). The project by supporting and accelerating multi-state cooperation and in-country actions for mangrove protection and conservation will secure this important climate adaptation role of mangroves. Further, the project will be supporting implementing conservation policy and management integrated across reef-to-ridge ecosystems and related sectors, importantly including surface and groundwater issues related to mangrove health. For example, upstream pollutant and sediment loads and coastal surface water quality issues will be considered and addressed.

S.Expected Human Well-being Benefits

The project will work with national authorities and local communities to help raise awareness of the many societal benefits of mangrove conservation. By reversing where possible patterns of use that lead to mangrove degradation it should be possible to also reduce the risk associated with local food security, storm, sea level rise and erosion (and to a lesser extent the rare tsunami events posed to those same communities).

The adoption and multiplying effect of demonstrating successful alternative livelihoods such as micro-tourism enterprises (as in Chira, Costa Rica), fisheries enhancement projects that showcase the role of mangroves as nursery and restocking areas or through conditional access rights through concession programs (as developed in mainland Ecuador) has potential to improve basic services and life-styles in low income areas. The results of improved national policy that encourages responsible upstream watershed management and recovery of mangroves that actively filter contaminants and sediment generates improvements in water quality that can reduce local health risk.

Over global scales the value of intact mangrove systems in terms of their contribution to carbon sequestration is relevant for climate change mitigation scenarios. This follows recent research that demonstrates that mangroves can be 3-10 times as effective as tropical forest in sequestering carbon. The consequences of carbon release through combustion of mangroves as fuel and the release of soil carbon from root systems has implications for human well-being beyond just local communities and the ETPS region.

The loss of protective buffering function to other productive habitats such as coral bays or barrier islands implies that actual impact of mangrove loss upon local livelihoods extends beyond just mangrove habitat. Coastal "green corridors" provide important along-shore ecological connectivity that helps communities and societies adapt to changes in climate and bolsters resilience across connected habitats and societies. For example, maintaining diversity in ecosystem goods across connected yet distinct habitats helps ensure livelihood alternatives and food security.