Tackling climate change: Saving Senegal's mangrove forests

Marianne Ndong and her colleagues make a living from raising and selling oysters in the village of Dassilamé Sérère, in Senegal’s Saloum Delta. 

Many African countries have experienced erosion of their mangrove forests, but Senegal is one of the most heavily affected. Persistent droughts linked to climate change have caused Senegal’s mangrove forests to recede by almost 40 per cent since the 1970s.

Mangroves don’t just support marine life, like the oysters Marianne raises. They also form a protective barrier between land and sea.

Marianne was only able to start her business after an extensive mangrove reforestation funded by a local project.