Mangroves are critical ecosystems for humans, biodiversity, and the global climate, as they are capable of sequestering up to 174 tonnes of carbon per hectare annually in both above- and below-ground biomass (Alongi, Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2014) and storing over 1,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare in soils, making them among the most efficient natural carbon sinks (Donato et al., Nature Geoscience, 2011); in addition, mangroves protect coastlines from erosion, reduce wave energy by 60–80% over just 100 meters of forest (Mazda et al., Wetlands Ecology and Management, 2006), support fisheries that sustain millions of coastal livelihoods, and provide nursery habitats for commercially important fish and crustaceans, with more than 3,000 species of flora and fauna depending on mangrove ecosystems (FAO, 2020); therefore, conserving and restoring mangroves is essential not only for climate change mitigation and adaptation but also for food security, disaster risk reduction, and sustaining coastal community resilience.
Mangrove conservation with Seasoldier starts with site assessment to determine location feasibility, planting methods, and suitable seedlings, followed by select seedling or natural seedling in their habitat. It also includes education about mangroves, planting using proven methods suitable for the location, and continuous monitoring and maintenance for at least one year to ensure the mangroves grow and thrive naturally in the planting site. We also involve local communities to ensure that mangrove conservation not only benefits the environment but also supports the well-being of the surrounding community. The entire process, from initial assessment to monitoring and maintenance, is carried out by the Seasoldier Conservation team.
