On this World Mangrove Day (July 26, 2025) the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is sounding the alarm. Mangrove forests, nature’s coastal protectors, are below severe risk throughout the area. Discovered solely on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and St. Maarten, these salt-tolerant forests are among the many strongest ecosystems within the Dutch Caribbean. They take up as much as 10 instances extra carbon than tropical rainforests. Additionally they buffer coastlines from erosion and storms, and supply nursery grounds for numerous marine species. But throughout the islands, mangrove forests are declining quick. However there’s a path ahead, if we act now.
Alarming Findings about Mangrove Forests within the Dutch Caribbean
The just lately printed State of Nature Report Caribbean Netherlands, by Wageningen Marine Analysis and backed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Meals Safety and Nature (LVVN), reveals a disturbing development for mangroves. The report identifies coastal improvement and erosion, made worse by poor water administration and sedimentation, as the largest threats to mangrove forests at the moment.
The report finds that, on Bonaire, many mangroves areas present declining ecological situations, particularly in locations like Lac Bay and Lagun the place hydrological disruption is extreme.
Sediment buildup is suffocating root programs, and degraded upstream catchments are funneling extra runoff into mangrove zones than ever earlier than. Though this report targeted on the mangroves of Bonaire, these threats and environmental patterns are seen on the opposite three islands (Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten) as effectively.
Mangroves are a cornerstone of each local weather resilience and biodiversity, offering important companies that profit individuals, wildlife, and the economic system. From buffering coastlines towards storms to supporting fisheries and storing huge quantities of carbon, their function in ecosystem well being can’t be overstated. The State of Nature Report makes this clear.
“With out quick and sustained motion, we danger dropping these crucial habitats and with them, the pure defenses our islands rely on”
Defending Mangrove Forests within the Dutch Caribbean
The place Do We Go from Right here?
The Ministry of LVVN performs a vital function in nature conservation in Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius, as outlined within the Nature and Environmental Coverage Plan Caribbean Netherlands (NEPP) 2020–2030. Latest statements, corresponding to DCNA’s name to motion pressured the necessity for quick motion whereas a joint assertion printed by WWF and island companions (together with DCNA, native protected space administration organizations and nature NGOs) estimated €300 million in further funding is required to fulfill the NEPP’s 2030 milestones.
Daring Funding Technique
Roughly half of that is required for direct conservation and restoration of nature (corresponding to mangroves, coral reefs, forests), whereas the opposite half is required to improve crucial environmental infrastructure, corresponding to wastewater remedy programs. It’s an enormous quantity, however huge issues demand daring investments if we wish to see actual, lasting change for nature. Delaying motion will solely make future options costlier and fewer efficient, whereas ecosystems proceed to degrade.
Rising Threats
On the similar time, the opposite Dutch Caribbean islands, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten, additionally face rising threats to their ecosystems and are in want for extra help. There’s an pressing want for a coordinated regional method and extra equitable funding throughout all six islands. DCNA is dedicated to serving to lead this variation for all six Dutch Caribbean islands. With help from the Dutch Postcode Lottery and co-funding from WWF-NL and Bloomberg Philanthropies, DCNA is kick-starting the Conservation and Restoration of Key Habitats Program.
To assist reverse the alarming decline of mangroves and different key habitats, this regional Program will place robust emphasis on key habitats corresponding to mangroves. The objective is to scale up on-the-ground restoration, strengthen environmental coverage and enforcement, and embedding habitat safety into spatial planning and local weather methods at each nationwide and island ranges.
It’s Time to Defend these Very important Ecosystems
If we lose mangrove forests, we lose certainly one of nature’s only shields towards local weather change and biodiversity loss. However with joint motion, these ecosystems can get better and proceed defending life above and under the waterline.
This BioNews article is a part of DCNA’s new sequence highlighting key habitats within the Dutch Caribbean. Moreover, they embrace insights from the State of Nature Report Caribbean Netherlands by Wageningen College & Analysis. Learn the State of Nature Report right here and subscribe to BioNews to comply with the sequence.
Very important Position of Mangroves in Curaçao
Defending Curaçao’s coral legacy is not only about preserving a fantastic pure surprise; it’s about sustaining the island’s identification, economic system, and environmental well being for generations to come back.
Header picture credit score: Crimson mangroves. Picture Credit score Hans Smulders
