Changes in Mangrove Cover and Exposure to Coastal Hazards in Kenya

Abstract

Mangroves are effective carbon sinks, support coastal fisheries and provide wood and non-wood resources to coastal communities. They are threatened by natural and human-induced stresses including over-exploitation, conversion pressures, pollution and climate change. Understanding changes in this important ecosystem is essential to inform the sustainable management of mangroves and assess the implications related to the loss of ecosystem services. This study used global remote sensing mangrove forest data to quantify changes in mangrove cover in Kenya between 2010 and 2016 and applied the InVEST coastal vulnerability model to assess the implications concerning the provision of natural coastal protection services in Kenya. The results indicate that the annual rates of mangrove cover loss in Kenya were 0.15% between 2010 and 2016. Currently, 16% of the Kenyan coastline is at higher levels of exposure to coastal hazards but this could increase to 41% if coastal ecosystems (mangroves, corals and seagrasses) are lost. The study further identified that higher rates of mangrove loss are observed in areas at higher risk of exposure in the southern and northern counties of Kwale and Lamu, where monitoring and management efforts should be prioritized.

Towards environmental sustainability: further evidences from decarbonization projects in Kenya’s Blue Economy

“…However, Kirui et al (2013) reported an annual net mangrove cover loss of 0.7% between 1985 and 2000 with the loss rate dropping to 0.28% between 2000 and 2010. Hamza et al (2022) estimated a mangrove cover loss of 0.15% per year between 2010 and 2016 indicating a trend of gradual reduction in loss of forest cover (Gitau et al, 2023).…”

Nature - Based Solutions: Restoring Mangroves for Shoreline Protection and Other Ecosystem Services at Gazi Bay, Kenya

“…After six months, seedlings attained a shoot length of 8-24.5 cm (18.76 ± 0.46), with 4-12 (9.86 ± 0.21) leaves and 1-5 (3.93 ± 0.1) internodes. By the eighth month, the shoot length reached 24.73 ± 0.48 cm (range: 12.3-35.3 cm) with 11.45 ± 0.22 (8-14) leaves and 4.73 ± 0.11 (3)(4)(5)(6) internodes. Seedlings grown in the 3ʹʹ PVC recorded an average shoot length of 21.09 ± 1.17 cm (range: 12.6 -31.5 cm), with 11.44 ± 0.27 leaves (range: 10 to 14) and 4.72 ± 0.14 internodes (range: 4 to 6).…”

“…Such changes are often amplified by loss and degradation of natural capital, including mangroves [4]. A study by [5] estimated 16% of Kenya coastline as highly exposed to natural hazards; and projecting a 41% escalation if marine ecosystems continue to be degraded . Global Projections indicate that the intensity of coastal hazards including storms and cyclones is likely to increase by 1-10% by 2030 -2080 [1,6].…”