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Mangroves are resilient coastal forests that thrive in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical regions, where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides. They have adapted to extreme conditions, flourishing in saltwater, enduring shifting tides, and surviving in low-oxygen soils.
Why Mangroves Are Important
Mangroves are essential to coastal ecosystems, with over 50 species found worldwide—the most common being red, black, and white. Their dense root systems stabilize coastlines, prevent erosion, and act as natural barriers against storms.
Healthy mangrove forests help create stronger economic resilience by supporting fish populations and maintaining a stable seafood supply.
Beyond coastal protection, mangroves are highly effective carbon sinks, storing more carbon per unit area than most terrestrial forests. They also enrich marine ecosystems by trapping organic material and creating a thriving habitat for many species, like shrimp, fishes, birds, and reptiles.
Mangroves also have a direct economic impact, particularly in coastal communities where fishing is a primary livelihood. Healthy mangrove forests help create stronger economic resilience by supporting fish populations and maintaining a stable seafood supply.
Protecting these ecosystems means preserving the environment while safeguarding the future of those who depend on them.
Challenges to Mangrove Conservation
Despite their importance, mangroves are increasingly threatened by deforestation, climate change, and coastal development.
Protecting them requires a collaborative approach integrating conservation efforts, community involvement, and sustainable land management policies.
EcoLogic Development Fund is actively working with local partners like APROSARSTÚN and MAR Fund to conserve and restore mangroves in three coastal communities of Guatemala—Tapon Creek, Barra Sarstún, and San Juan.
Securing Legal Land Tenure
A key focus of these efforts is securing legal land tenure, a crucial but complex challenge.
One of the main challenges has been legal certainty—who owns the land?
Many communities that have safeguarded these ecosystems for decades lack formal management rights. While these lands are officially state-owned, overlapping responsibilities among institutions like the Ministry of Environment, the National Council for Protected Areas (CONAP), and the National Forest Institute (INAB) complicate their protection and sustainable use.
"One of the main challenges has been legal certainty—who owns the land?" explains Eliazar Isaac Bo Che, EcoLogic’s Field Technician. "Initially, it was unclear who these mangrove ecosystems belonged to."
To address the issue, EcoLogic and its partners started conducting assessments to navigate the legal framework and formalize conservation efforts. The breakthrough came through INAB's conservation incentive program, which provides financial support for environmental stewardship. Since parts of these mangrove forests fell within a core conservation zone, those communities could apply for state lease agreements, legally recognizing them as tenants.
The legal recognition enabled residents to access conservation incentives, ensuring economic benefits and the continued protection of mangroves.
"We track forest conditions before and after conservation incentives are introduced," clarifies Eliazar. "This helps assess our efforts' impact and ensures these ecosystems' long-term resilience."
Empowering Communities, Fishers, and Youth Through Environmental Education
Environmental education is integrated into our projects, reinforcing the connection between healthy ecosystems and community well-being.
We engage multiple generations in conservation, working with young people in primary and secondary schools, as well as with community leaders and local committees. Through interactive three-day workshops, students participate in hands-on learning experiences that deepen their understanding of their natural surroundings and inspire them to become future environmental stewards.
EcoLogic also partners with local schools to incorporate environmental topics into the curriculum established by the Ministry of Education. By instilling a culture of conservation early on, we aim to ensure that mangrove protection remains a long-term priority.
They now recognize that what they were doing was harmful and that protecting mangroves positively impacts the fish population.
A key aspect of our work is involving local fishers as active participants in mangrove conservation. Research by EcoLogic and APROSARSTÚN revealed that fishers had been unknowingly harming mangroves for a long time by cutting branches to create artificial fish habitats in the sea. "Fishers would cut branches and submerge them in the ocean to attract fish," explains Eliazar.
Through conservation programs, education activities, and workshops, these practices stopped as community members now understand that restoring and protecting mangroves helps sustain fish populations, benefiting their livelihoods. "They now recognize that what they were doing was harmful and that protecting mangroves positively impacts the fish population," continues Eliazar.
Today, fishing communities are leading the charge in mangrove conservation, forming associations dedicated to protecting these ecosystems. Fishers actively participate in decision-making, ensuring conservation strategies align with their livelihoods and needs.
What once required outside encouragement has become a powerful grassroots movement, with fishers themselves advocating for stronger conservation initiatives and long-term environmental stewardship.
Sustainable Livelihoods for Conservation
Our approach also focuses on providing sustainable economic alternatives to families by supporting the development of profitable businesses and subsistence projects.
The idea is to help families diversify their income sources, reducing pressure on mangrove ecosystems.
To reduce environmental pressure on mangroves and decrease reliance on fishing and logging, we introduced alternative income-generating activities such as pig farming, poultry raising, and microcredit programs for small businesses. Financial literacy is also key, equipping families with skills to manage savings, reinvest profits, and build long-term economic stability.
"The idea is to help families diversify their income sources, reducing pressure on mangrove ecosystems," says Eliazar.
Forest Monitoring
Despite the region's high humidity, Guatemala has experienced severe wildfires. Although wildfires have not traditionally affected the Caribbean coast, fire prevention remains a key aspect of sustainable forest management. Local communities actively patrol firebreaks and monitor ecosystem changes, ensuring they can respond swiftly to any potential threats.
Results and Future Goals
Thanks to our efforts, 415 hectares of mangrove forest have been legally recognized and placed under conservation agreements. Of these, 70.5 hectares are already receiving conservation incentives, with an ambitious goal to expand this coverage to 344.73 hectares by the end of 2025.
In addition to securing land protections, EcoLogic prioritizes natural mangrove regeneration over reforestation methods. Fluctuating tides and rising water temperatures can pose challenges for artificial planting. For this reason, we support and monitor natural regrowth, creating more sustainable and resilient restoration processes.
"We use drones and the Global Forest Watch app to monitor these conservation areas in real-time, track border markers, and detect environmental changes," explains Eliazar. "Next week, we will train 22 community members and provide them with smartphones with the monitoring apps."
By securing land tenure, providing environmental education, and creating sustainable livelihoods, we demonstrate how conservation activities and community well-being can work together and pave the way for a more resilient coastal environment.
Stay tuned for more updates from our team on Guatemala's Caribbean coast!
Sources:
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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