Located in the southwest region of Madagascar, Morondava district sits on a very low, sandy maritime plain. The community relies on natural resources, such as agriculture and fishing, for both livelihood and income. The district is home to a rich yet fragile mosaic of ecosystems, including dry and thorn forests, savannahs, mangroves and coral reefs.
In response to the level of degradation of the area under study, the approach in this hub is the restoration of 100 hectares of mangroves. Due to coastal erosion, wide areas supposed to be mangroves are sand-covered, therefore preventing mangrove plants from properly prospering. Community members, mainly women, have to cross these sandy areas to reach mangroves, where they can harvest crabs and gastropods, essential for their livelihood.
Through the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) approach, local communities will directly benefit from the ecosystem services provided by restored mangrove ecosystems, including improved livelihoods, enhanced food security, strengthened coastal protection, and increased biodiversity conservation. As part of the project, community members have been trained in effective mangrove restoration, planting, and sustainable management techniques. These experiences empower them to actively participate in ecosystem rehabilitation, support the sustainable use of natural resources, strengthen their livelihoods, and enhance their resilience to the growing impacts of climate change.
Interventions to date:
- Identification of the area to be restored.
- Installation of the mangrove plant nursery.
- 192 jobs (days of labour work) created during the implementation of the nursery (71 people employed).
Expected benefits:
- 100 ha of mangrove restoration.
- 167 Local communities trained in mangrove restoration, planting, and reforestation monitoring techniques;
- Enhanced local capacity for the sustainable management of coastal ecosystems;
- Improved ecological and socio-economic resilience of communities in the Morondava hub to the impacts of climate change.
Hub coordinator and main implementer of interventions:
UNESCO & OXFAM South Africa
Morondava District Hub, Madagascar
Morondava, Madagascar
- Region: Madagascar
- Climate: Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Aw)
- Main meteorological hazards: Coastal erosion
- Nature-based solutions implemented: Mangrove restoration.
- Intervention: Restoration of 100 hectares of mangroves and training of local communities on efficient mangrove planting.
Morondava District Hub, Madagascar
- Region: Madagascar
- Climate: Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Aw)
- Main meteorological hazards: Coastal erosion
- Nature-based solutions implemented: Mangrove restoration.
- Intervention: Restoration of 100 hectares of mangroves and training of local communities on efficient mangrove planting.