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Day 22

A mangrove seedling is planted on Kenya's coast

Mangrove forests: habitat between land and sea Mangrove forests: habitat between land and sea

A mangrove seedling is planted on Kenya's coast
Day 22
Protection and reforestation of valuable mangrove forests on the coast of Kenya

Mangrove forests are unique ecosystems on tropical coasts. For thousands of years they have provided valuable services for people and the environment. They stabilize the coasts, clean the water and provide shelter and a home for countless animal species. Mussels and barnacles cling to their branched offshoots, fish find a spawning ground between their roots, water snakes and crocodiles lie in wait for prey, sea turtles seek shelter and food in the underwater thicket. Above the water, the branches, twigs and leaves of the mangroves also provide habitat and food for many animals, such as birds, climbing crabs and insects. The local population also benefits from the mangroves: the forests are, for example, nurseries for edible fish, natural sewage treatment plants and, above all, an invaluable protective barrier against flooding and land erosion.

Protection and reforestation of valuable mangrove forests on the coast of Kenya
need
Sustainable reforestation of mangrove forests to preserve an endangered ecosystem in Kenya.
activity
Under the guidance of project staff, school classes plant native mangrove seedlings that were grown in the project's own tree nursery.
Measurable performance
Number of seeds and saplings planted through the good deed.
Result
Destroyed mangrove forests are reforested and provide valuable services to people and animals as habitat, food source and coastal protection.
Systemically relevant impact
The local population is made aware of the value of mangrove forests and is committed to protecting the mangroves.
background

Over the last few decades, mangrove forests have been increasingly lost. The trees are being cut down to produce firewood, and they have to make way for houses or holiday resorts for tourists. The mangroves are also suffering from water pollution caused by oil or pesticides. Both biodiversity and the local population are increasingly suffering from the consequences. Protection of existing mangrove forests and sustainable reforestation are urgently needed to preserve these valuable habitats.

Day 22 Day 22
The good deed

The good deed makes it possible to plant mangrove seedlings in Mida Creek, a mangrove area within the Watamu nature and bird sanctuary in Kenya. Seven of the nine Kenyan mangrove species are found in Mida Creek. The seeds of these mangrove species are collected and grown into seedlings in a separate tree nursery in order to reforest the mangrove forest as naturally as possible. Project employees regularly hold "mangrove planting days" with school classes. Depending on the type of mangrove and the area, seeds are planted directly in addition to seedlings. By involving the local population, the good deed helps to educate local people about the value of mangrove forests and to get them involved in protecting the mangroves themselves.

AboutKenya
Nairobi
Nairobi
Capital city
48 461 600
48 461 600
Population
1 516
1 516
Gross domestic product per capita per year
146
146
Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

In March 2017, the Kenyan government decided to completely ban plastic bags. Kenya is thus taking a pioneering role in the fight against plastic littering.
About the organization and further information

organization

Action Group for Species Protection (AGA) eV

website

www.aga-artenschutz.de/

Initiative for Transparent Civil Society

Further links