1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
Guyana is particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise stemming from climate change, plus regional shifts in the height of the sea. Close to 80 per cent of Guyana's population lives in the low–lying coastal region. In fact, some of the historically habitable sections are already below sea level and by 2100, scientists project a global sea-level rise of 2.6 feet (80 centimetres)—and as much as 6.6 feet (2 meters). For example, the 2005 flood was concentrated in the most heavily populated regions of the country, resulting in some 274,774 persons or 37% of the national population being severely affected by the floodwaters. The flooding event claimed the lives of 34 persons. The government of Guyana estimated that the mean annual temperature in Georgetown increased by 1.0°C within the last century. Climate change' effects require complex solutions and as such the government's aim was to help build up the coastal nation’s natural sea defences. More precisely the goals of the intervention were:
1. To increase the recovery of the mangroves along the Guyanese coast, including: introducing alternative restoration methodologies, such as planting coastal grass species, constructing fences to control grazing, hydrologic restoration
2. To conduct a biodiversity assessment of mangrove sites that can be used as a baseline for future assessments and as the basis for future management plans for these areas.
3. To develop effective protection and/or rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems (a soft, low-cost option for augmenting the country’s sea defence system)
4. To increase public awareness and education on the benefits of the mangrove forests
5. To counteract the decrease in the yield of crops as temperature increases in different parts of Guyana
6. To reduce and prevent coastal erosion by implementing mangroves which act as wave breakers to protect coasts, coastal communities and infrastructure from the onslaught of strong waves and winds.
7. To provide excellent habitat for different types of plants and animals and prevent loss of biodiversity
8. To mitigate climate change (carbon sequestration through reforestation and forest preservation) and adapt to its effects (sea defence, biodiversity). (1,2,3,4)
1. To increase the recovery of the mangroves along the Guyanese coast, including: introducing alternative restoration methodologies, such as planting coastal grass species, constructing fences to control grazing, hydrologic restoration
2. To conduct a biodiversity assessment of mangrove sites that can be used as a baseline for future assessments and as the basis for future management plans for these areas.
3. To develop effective protection and/or rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems (a soft, low-cost option for augmenting the country’s sea defence system)
4. To increase public awareness and education on the benefits of the mangrove forests
5. To counteract the decrease in the yield of crops as temperature increases in different parts of Guyana
6. To reduce and prevent coastal erosion by implementing mangroves which act as wave breakers to protect coasts, coastal communities and infrastructure from the onslaught of strong waves and winds.
7. To provide excellent habitat for different types of plants and animals and prevent loss of biodiversity
8. To mitigate climate change (carbon sequestration through reforestation and forest preservation) and adapt to its effects (sea defence, biodiversity). (1,2,3,4)
Quantitative targets
Implementing the intervention in 9 sites
Covering an estimated 142 hectares overall (including Georgetown's area)
For the first year, it is proposed that 25,000 Avicennia seedlings be produced and planted at the Mon Repos site (14 km from Georgetown)
Impacting approx. 235,000 people (population of Georgetown including peri-urban area and coastal area)
Using especially black mangroves as species - Avicennia germinans (1,2,5)
Covering an estimated 142 hectares overall (including Georgetown's area)
For the first year, it is proposed that 25,000 Avicennia seedlings be produced and planted at the Mon Repos site (14 km from Georgetown)
Impacting approx. 235,000 people (population of Georgetown including peri-urban area and coastal area)
Using especially black mangroves as species - Avicennia germinans (1,2,5)
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of sites where the action was implemented
Size of the area
Number of seedlings used
Number of people impacted
Species of mangroves planted (1,2,5)
Size of the area
Number of seedlings used
Number of people impacted
Species of mangroves planted (1,2,5)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Prior to the intervention technical research aimed at resolving some of the overall and critical questions underlying the issues of mangrove loss and restoration was essential. Key topics concerning the ecology of Guyana's mangroves, such as the impact of agricultural pollution; the best practices for planting and the causes of sudden erosional loss, pest, and disease among others, have not been answered in the specific context of the Guyana coast. As the project found its feet and technical experts were brought in, better monitoring protocols were introduced and more training carried out. Before a site is selected, research was carried out: the section was measured using GPS and the soil elevation was checked to see if it is conducive to mangrove planting. The work doesn’t end there: measurements were carried out quarterly in the first year of planting, twice in year two, and annually thereafter. A core activity under the Mangrove Management Action Plan is the rehabilitation of mangrove fields. This element of the programme involves selecting existing mangrove forests for protection and identifying sites that are more difficult to rehabilitate but are of high value in terms of sea defence. Mangrove seedlings are being planted along different sections of coastline.(2,3,5)
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Parts of the intervention were considered innovative, for example, previously, Guyana built artificial sea walls to protect the coast. These can be very costly to construct and maintain. The project implemented innovative measures designed to increase the recovery of the mangroves along the Guyanese coast, including introducing alternative restoration methodologies, such as planting coastal grass species, constructing fences to control grazing and hydrologic restoration. The propagules were planted in polythene bags. (1,6)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
It was not clear from the sources if the project was inspired by international or local action. It suffices to say that through 2010-2012 this intervention was unique for the coastal area of Guyana and only after it ended (in 2014) there were other initiatives implemented. (5)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The project has many strands which are relevant for the post-2015 Rio, combining budget support with sustainable development (green economy, climate change mitigation), and women's empowerment.(3)
