In Cuba, local communities have joined forces with the government to restore damaged mangrove forests. These ecosystems cover 70 per cent of the country’s coasts and are vital to prevent the effects of climate change, since they protect the coastline from storms and floods and contribute to the health of coral reefs and seagrasses.
Mangrove restoration also brings economic benefits. On the one hand, they are the habitat of fish and other species that support the livelihoods of coastal communities, but also, according to UNEP studies, for every dollar invested in mangrove restoration there is a benefit of four dollars.
Mangrove restoration is one of the top priorities of the Caribbean Biological Corridor, a joint initiative between Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
