Guyana expands mangrove forests for coastal defense
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The government of Guyana increased its mangrove coverage by 324 hectares, about 3.24 square kilometres, from 2025 to June 2026, bolstering the country’s coastal defenses.
Guyana invested in restoring these mangrove ecosystems along its Atlantic coast to protect communities, farmland, and the economy from erosion and climate change. Mangrove roots stabilize sediment and reduce wave energy, helping to prevent shoreline erosion and maintain coastal soils.
These mangrove ecosystems also support biodiversity by providing habitats for marine and terrestrial species and contribute to carbon storage. The expansion occurred alongside a $284.5 million Mangrove Management project, which combines restoration efforts with engineered structures like armour rocks and groynes between villages No. 39 and No. 59. Guyana recognizes that mangroves and engineered defenses each have unique benefits and that combining the two offers the most effective coastal management strategy.
The government plans to continue monitoring mangrove coverage and assessing shoreline conditions to ensure the long-term success of restoration efforts and protect its vulnerable coastal zone.
