Mangrove ecosystems in Sri Lanka: climate change impacts and community-based conservation and restoration

Mangrove forests are immensely productive coastal ecosystems that thrive at the border between land and sea and serve as an important bridge between marine and terrestrial biodiversity. In Sri Lanka, conserving and expanding mangroves is a national goal formulated in recent policies, plans, & strategies, as well as a priority for climate change adaptation and resilience. Sustainable mangrove restoration hinges on community participation and ownership. Scoping sites, identifying and mapping key stakeholders, building capacities, creating awareness, and implementing community-driven actions are key steps to establish a community-based restoration system.