Mangroves are central links in the ecosystem and socio-economic balance, both along the estuary and in the Senegalese hinterland.
Advancing salt terrain in the Sine Saloum is one of the main causes of loss of vegetation cover, land degradation and contamination of the aquifers. The combination of drought episodes in the late 1970s-1980s plus population growth is the main cause of the phenomenon, which has been accelerating worryingly since 2015.
Through a combined landscaping effort involving mangrove ecosystem restoration, natural resource management and the reintroduction of agroforestry patches, the "Sea forest" project intended to halt this process and to initiate a diversified transition by promoting more productive landscapes that are respectful of local biodiversity.
Mangroves are central links in the ecosystem and socio-economic balance, both along the estuary and in the Senegalese hinterland. As an irreplaceable biodiversity and resource niche, a barrier against coastal erosion, salt contamination of land and aquifers, and a true carbon sink, mangroves provide unequalled ecosystem services. Their restoration helps to rebuild the natural protective barrier in the estuary with the aim of limiting the phenomenon of soil salinisation in the hinterland.
In addition, this project promoted better management of natural resources, notably rainwater, with the aim of reducing runoff and the loss of arable land while consolidating ecosystems and aquifers. Restoring reserves of underground fresh water table helps lower the salt level and allow local producers to reuse their wells to irrigate off-season crops (market gardening, fruit growing, etc.).
Lastly, agroforestry patches provide communities with an important source of wood and fodder, thus relieving depleted forest cover while re-fertilising the soil, thereby improving agricultural productivity and food security.
This project supported the communities in four estuarine villages located in the commune of Djilasse (Fatick department). It aimed to help improve the communities’ ecosystems and living conditions by enhancing their resilience to climate and health hazards.
