By Raul Quintana
May 19, 2021
In Colombia, a new way to protect mangroves takes root
6 min
Hugging coastlines throughout the tropics, mangroves are climate superstars. In a single square mile, their dense tangle of roots can stash away as much climate-warming carbon as the annual emissions of 90,000 cars.
But, until now, this “blue carbon” — that is, carbon stored in coastal ecosystems — hasn’t been adequately and accurately measured. This has effectively shut mangroves out of carbon markets, precluding financial incentives to protect them and depriving coastal communities of potential income.
That is about to change — with major implications for the survival of mangrove forests, which for decades have been decimated for agriculture, shrimp farms, urban development and more.
Scientists there used a simple but effective system for measuring the carbon locked away in the tropical sediment: Wading into the mangroves, they used a special pipe to extract soil one to three meters deep. The soil’s carbon content was then analyzed in a lab.
“The muck we pulled up hasn’t seen the light of day for 100-plus years,” Howard said. “It’s not pretty, but this blue carbon is vitally important in the effort to address global climate change and help end mangrove destruction.”
“You would be hard-pressed to find an ecosystem that delivers more in benefits,” Howard said. “And as blue carbon credits help to make these ecosystems healthier, coastal communities will start to receive more of those benefits.”
In Cispatá, revenues from the sale of carbon credits will benefit local communities, contributing to sustainable livelihoods and compensating landowners for protecting their mangroves. The income will provide a degree of financial security as well as the initial funding needed to develop a sustainable ecotourism program and other economic activities for local communities. Discussions are underway to replicate the project in at least two other locations in Colombia.
“The mangrove forest gives us so much. It shelters us from the winds, and provides food and resources,” said Ignacia de la Rosa Pérez, a leader of the San Antero community in the Cispatá region. “For us, it’s like a protective mother. Our goal is to conserve it for the future.”
This initiative has been implemented with funding from Apple.
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