Building Blue Carbon Projects - An Introductory Guide

greenhouse gas emission reductions achievable through mangrove REDD+ in Madagascar, as well as contributing towards new VCS methodologies applicable to the avoided deforestation of mangrove forests and the conservation of intact mangrove wetlands anywhere in the world. Because REDD+ projects can take many years to establish and operate within significant market and policy uncertainty, the Blue Forests project is going beyond carbon to create shorter-term ways for coastal communities to gain from sustainable management of mangrove fisheries and forest resources.

"We expanded our scope to include blue forests (Blue Carbon) because we strive for a holistic approach to marine conservation that considers both communities and surrounding ecosystems. Without this landscape- scale, socio-ecological approach, our efforts could not help to truly empower coastal communities and improve their long-term livelihoods and climate change preparedness, while helping to safeguard biodiversity."

Across their five sites, Blue Forests team members, in close cooperation with community members, are involved in many activities, including: taking the measurements necessary to estimate above- and below-ground carbon stocks in mangrove forests; collecting sediment core samples from deforested areas to understand the breakdown of carbon over time; using moderate-resolution satellite imagery in spatial analyses to stratify mangrove ecosystems and quantify ecosystem dynamics; engaging with local communities to understand the drivers of ecosystem degradation and deforestation – here, this often means over harvesting for charcoal production and building their capacities to manage mangroves sustainably; investigating strategies to reduce mangrove deforestation and estimating potential emissions reductions from avoided deforestation; assessing the social impact of continued versus altered land-use practices; analysing traditional forest user rights, tenure, and laws affecting implementation of REDD+ projects; establishing baselines with-project biodiversity scenarios and biodiversity monitoring programs and or mechanisms; contributing to shoreline protection through participation in mangrove restoration efforts; and establishing temporary community-managed fishing closures and mangrove fishing reserves. Looking  forward, Blue Ventures’ Blue  Forests  project is strengthening the methodologies that can account for mangrove forests and paving the way for community REDD+ projects along Madagascar’s  mangrove-rich west coast. In the process, the project is helping build capacity within and bring immediate benefits to participating communities. Benefits are focused on conservation, improved management of mangrove forest and fisheries resources, and improved or alternative livelihoods. Trevor Jones, PhD Geospatial Analyst, Manager of Blue Carbon Science, Blue Ventures

Building Blue Carbon Projects An Introductory Guide

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