Mangroves in Senegal’s Saloum Delta bring 1.5 billion euros to the local economy over a ten-year period
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Coastal resilience
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Coastal wetland conservation
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Integrated delta management
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Mangrove Capital Africa
Mangroves provide goods and services that contribute 1.5 billion Euros to the local economy of the Saloum Delta. The evaluation was made following a study conducted between 2020-2021 in Senegal.
The contribution of the mangroves to the local economy of the Saloum Delta is known. It could reach 1.5 billion Euros over 10 years. The value of ecosystem goods and services generated by the mangroves was estimated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Wetlands International Africa-WIACO. “The study showed how the conservation of mangroves in the Saloum Delta can help avoid investments in ‘grey’ or ‘built’ infrastructure that could perform similar functions, such as infrastructure dedicated to flood protection or water purification,” reads the statement sent to the editor.
Despite their importance, mangroves are threatened by climate change, overexploitation, encroachment of their area, among others. The institutions that carried out the study want the data to be used to better preserve these ecosystems that provide ecological, economic and social functions. “We believe that the information provided in this report will be useful for policy choices and planning in the Saloum Delta, because the study takes into account the complexity and fragility of mangrove ecosystems,” explained Ibrahima THIAM, Executive Director of Wetlands International Africa-WIACO.
The study financed by the Mava Foundation was conducted by IISD, which developed the SAVi (Sustainable asset valuation) methodology. This technology is based on the estimation of the monetary value of ecosystem services in the Saloum Delta and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. “We designed this simulation tool to give an idea of how better conservation could affect the local economy, create jobs and increase the provision of ecosystem services,” said Liesbeth Casier of the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Click here to access the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) of Senegal’s Saloum Delta