Phase III – Resilience and adaptation of mangroves and dependent communities in the WIO region to the impacts of climate change

This project, conducted by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and Eduardo Mondlane University, focused on assessing the resilience and adaptation of mangroves to the impacts of climate change in Kenya and Mozambique. The primary objectives included evaluating forest cover change to understand mangrove die-back and recovery, analyzing both physical and biological drivers of change, and conducting vulnerability assessments of study sites to sea level rise. Additionally, the project assessed land use changes and their direct or perceived effects on mangrove ecosystems while implementing experimental ecosystem restoration utilizing “smart” species as part of the adaptation process. Mapping of mangrove transgression, sea level scenario modeling, and sediment accretion assessments were employed to evaluate the ability of mangroves to adapt to rising sea levels. Socio-economic assessments provided insights into the impacts of climate change on local communities and their adaptive capacities, helping to inform future conservation strategies. The project aimed to enhance understanding of the interplay between mangrove ecosystems and dependent communities, ultimately contributing to more effective adaptation measures in the Western Indian Ocean region.