Restoration of Mangrove Ecosystems in Natur’ELLES, Senegal

In Senegal, the Sine Saloum and Casamance deltas boast a rich history within their mangrove ecosystems, which have been vital to local communities and biodiversity for centuries. Mangrove forests cover 185,000 hectares, serving as critical habitats for diverse marine and terrestrial species. These ecosystems also provide several environmental services that strengthen the resilience and adaptation capacities of local communities.

A previous SAVi assessment estimated that the Saloum delta generates ecosystem services and co-benefits of EUR 1.5 billion, with labour income directly generated from the ecosystem reaching EUR 3 billion over ten years. While smaller, the mangrove ecosystems in Casamance are also crucial for community resilience, supporting the rich fauna and flora essential for Senegal’s food security goals. Activities such as oyster collection, processing, and sales, predominantly carried out by women, have been recognized as a key sector for sustainable development by the Senegalese government and the World Bank.

However, global warming, extreme weather, coastal erosion, and human activities such as intensive fishing and agricultural deforestation have significantly degraded these ecosystems and biodiversity. It is estimated that Senegal lost nearly a quarter of its mangroves between 1980 and 2010 due to droughts, wood harvesting, and infrastructure development that obstructed water flow. These challenges have reduced resource availability and livelihood opportunities, exacerbating vulnerability among communities, particularly women involved in mangrove value chains.

To address these challenges and ensure equitable benefits for women and their communities while enhancing climate adaptation capacities, the Natur’ELLES project, spanning from 2023 to 2026, will focus on mangrove restoration through reforestation, promotion of inclusive governance of natural resources, capacity building and behavioural change. Restoring mangrove ecosystems is crucial not only for climate change adaptation but also for empowering women economically, as mangroves are essential for oyster production.

Natur’ELLES aims to directly benefit 8,000 individuals, including at least 6,000 women and young women affected by climate change in the Sine Saloum and Casamance deltas. Additionally, the initiative will impact their communities, benefiting over 85,000 indirect beneficiaries across 113 villages. These communities will enjoy improved fishery resources, enhanced food security, and better environmental services aimed at mitigating climate risks. The project will be implemented in four Marine Protected Areas and five Indigenous and Community-based Protected Areas within the two regions.

Ultimately, Natur’ELLES, led by the “Societé de Coopération pour le Développement Durable” (SOCODEVI) in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), OSTROM Climate, and other local partners including Nebeday, CASADES, CAREM, and REFEPAS, aims to increase climate change adaptation among women and vulnerable communities reliant on mangrove ecosystems in the Sine Saloum and Casamance deltas of Senegal.