Why Mangroves Matter: Protecting Jamaica’s Coastlines, Communities, and Future

Swale in Boggy Pond East, Southern Clarendon

Mangroves are critical ecosystems that support coastal protection, fisheries, biodiversity, and

climate resilience. In Jamaica, they are particularly important for communities that depend on

healthy coastlines for their livelihoods and safety. Southern Clarendon is one of the areas

where mangrove loss has become a serious concern.

As UWI Solutions for Developing Countries (SODECO) leads a major mangrove restoration

project in this region, it is important to understand why mangroves matter and how restoring

them will strengthen Jamaica’s coastal resilience.

Mangroves Protect Coastal Communities

Mangrove forests act as natural barriers against storms and coastal erosion. Their strong root

systems absorb wave energy, reducing the impact of storm surges and helping to stabilise

shorelines.

With Jamaica’s location in the Atlantic hurricane belt, communities such as Farquhar’s

Beach, Rocky Point, Portland Cottage, Mitchell Town, and Salt River are among those that

are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. Healthy mangroves provide a first line

of defence, protecting homes, roads, and infrastructure from damage. Without them, coastal

areas are more exposed to the full force of storms, leading to greater risks for property and

human life.

Mangroves Support Fisheries and Livelihoods

Mangroves provide essential nursery habitats for fish, crabs, shrimp, and other marine

species. Many young fish spend the early part of their lives among the mangrove roots before

moving into the seagrass beds immediately offshore, then on to coral reefs.

In Clarendon, many families rely on fishing either as a primary source of income or as an

important source of food. A decline in mangrove health directly affects fish populations,

putting additional pressure on already vulnerable communities. Restoring mangrove habitats

helps rebuild fish stocks naturally, supporting food security and sustaining livelihoods over

the long term.

Mangroves Help Fight Climate Change

Mangrove forests are among the most effective natural systems for capturing and storing

carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. When

released into the atmosphere, carbon dioxide traps heat and leads to rising global

temperatures, stronger storms, and more extreme weather patterns.

Mangroves can store significantly more carbon per hectare than land-based forests, locking it

away safely in their roots and soils for hundreds of years. By protecting and restoring

mangroves, Jamaica helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and strengthens its own defences against the growing impacts of climate change, such as stronger

hurricanes and rising sea levels.

Mangroves Strengthen Coastal Ecosystems

Mangroves support the overall health of coastal ecosystems. They filter pollutants from

water, stabilise sediments, and improve water quality, which benefits seagrass beds and coral

reefs further offshore.

Stronger coastal ecosystems mean healthier fisheries, better opportunities for tourism, and

more resilient communities. A thriving coastal environment supports both the economy and

the natural beauty of Jamaica’s shores.

Why Restoration Efforts Matter

Mangrove loss in southern Clarendon has weakened the natural defences of the coastline,

reduced fish stocks, and increased the vulnerability of nearby communities. Restoring these

forests is about more than environmental conservation; it is about protecting people’s homes,

livelihoods, and future opportunities.

Through the ongoing restoration efforts led by UWI SODECO, supported by the Inter--

American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Jamaica, is taking important steps to rebuild its natural

defences, support sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen resilience to climate change.