The Mangrove's Role in the Amazon Ecosystem
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The veritree team recently returned from visiting our mangrove restoration sites in Kenya and Tanzania. This trip was a vital opportunity to assess the progress and impact of our work, observe wildlife in their natural habitats, and introduce new cutting-edge technology to the projects. One of the primary focuses of this visit was to evaluate the social impact these projects have on local communities.
One of our most significant initiatives involves the use of a Matrice 350 RTK drone and Zenmuse L2 payload to capture highly detailed LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scans at all of our East African mangrove sites. This data will feed directly into veritree’s Blue Carbon Model which can estimate total ecosystem carbon stocks in mangrove ecosystems at 1 meter resolution. Using these carbon estimates, veritree is able to benchmark yearly carbon accumulation and establish strong carbon baselines at sites not yet planted. Additionally, from these same flights we collect high-resolution orthophoto evidence for verifying planted areas, densities and survival rates. With accurate before-and-after visuals and data, we can share meaningful updates with our partners and assure them that their sites are being planted correctly.
The project in Tanzania is in the initial stages restoring an area that has been degraded through salt mining, seaweed farms and the increased need for homes made of mangrove timber from the local industry. The restoration project has brought a much welcome stability of income and increased food security. The stable income has created access to microfinance initiatives and local credit. Healthcare is provided as part of employment after month 3, so the community eagerly awaits their access to such benefits. Since the project is less than 3 months old, significant challenges remain. The social surveys conducted through the veritree app, with local team members, revealed a lack of basic access to drinking water and sanitation. Through measuring change related to Food, Water, Energy, Sanitation, Health, Safety, Income, Finance, community and Wellbeing, veritree and partners can identify the issues that matter most to the local populations, create interventions and track impact as it happens.
In Kenya, the projects have been running much longer, so to a large extent, basic needs are being met. Moreover, while Tanzania respondents expressed greater happiness with their access to food, in Kenya all reported greater dietary diversity. Many households report their happiness with being able to pay for school fees for their children. In Kenya a major reported challenge is greater access to energy although many have already switched to clean energy since the beginning of the project.
veritree is rolling out social surveys through the app across all sites. It is essential that restoration be grounded in understanding the social impact to be successful. While the mangroves didn’t perceive a border between Kenya and Tanzania along the East African Coastline, the difference between the communities across the border was stark. As the projects grow, more benefits and stability in income is being provided to communities. veritree is dedicated to measuring both ecosystem and social impact through all the projects.
Another challenge faced by the planters at the site is crab predation, where crabs consume propagules immediately after planting. To combat this, the team is planting nursery-grown seedlings, which are more robust and less appealing to crabs. Additionally, the women planters came up with an innovative solution of making a structure around the nursery out of old mosquito nets.
At our Kuchi site in Kenya, to preserve and protect local ecosystems, our planting partner, Earthlungs, has implemented an innovative trenching technique. Since then, we have observed remarkable progress. Previously devoid of trenches, the site now thrives, resembling a farmer’s field full of healthy, growing trees. This transformation is a significant milestone for restoration in the area, demonstrating the effectiveness of site preparation interventions.
In Bonjoge, bee hives continue to flourish in the mangrove estuaries and forests. This initiative provides an excellent revenue stream for local communities, ensuring that they have sustainable livelihoods even after planting activities conclude. By turning the forest into a source of income, we help protect it from being converted to charcoal production.
Our recent trip to Kenya and Tanzania reaffirmed the importance of integrating environmental restoration with socio-economic benefits. By continuing to leverage technology, addressing challenges, and supporting local communities, we are confident in the long-term success and sustainability of our projects.
December 2, 2024
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