Strengthening mangrove restoration efforts in Madagascar with MAP 

As part of our ongoing efforts to drive sustainability in the construction sector and in line with our B Corp certification, Agilité is passionate about the global organisations and charities it supports. One of these key beneficiaries is The Mangrove Action Project (MAP), a grass-roots company that takes a bottom-up approach to restoring and conserving mangrove swamps – a significant global CO2 absorber and diverse ecosystem. 

Recently, the Mangrove Action Project team visited northern and western Madagascar. – an island nation known for its mangrove forest biome and recognised in the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Global 200 list of most outstanding ecoregions. The field visit, hosted by WWF, aimed to evaluate mangrove restoration efforts, working alongside the Ministry of Fisheries, local communities, and other conservation organisations such as Blue Ventures and Bôndy. 

In addition to sharing technical knowledge, the team learned from the communities about local challenges whilst witnessing the brilliant restoration work happening on the ground. Despite environmental pressures from nearby charcoal production, the mangroves have shown resilience and community leaders – many of whom transitioned from charcoal making to conservation – demonstrated a deep commitment to restoration. 

The MAP team emphasised the critical role of hydrology in successful restoration and recommended improved monitoring of water flow, as well as adjustments to focus on areas with better hydrological conditions. The importance of salinity monitoring was also addressed. Using refractometers, the team advised on testing both channel and soil salinity, crucial for maintaining optimal conditions for mangrove species. Variations in salinity between seasons can place stress on sensitive species, making monitoring essential for long-term success. 

This field visit underscored the importance of combining local knowledge with technical interventions. The collaboration between WWF and local communities is fostering positive momentum for Madagascar’s mangrove restoration efforts. 

We’re proud to be involved with the important work MAP undertakes, addressing a commonly overlooked but essential ecosystem and CO2 absorber. Stay tuned to hear more from us and our friends at MAP, and be sure to check them out at: 

Home - Mangrove Action Project 

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