Mangroves: Nature’s Coastal Guardians and EcoSoluciones’ Mission to Restore Them in the Dominican Republic
Mangroves are often called the unsung heroes of coastal ecosystems. These unique trees grow where land meets sea, thriving in salty, brackish waters, and providing critical benefits to both nature and people. They act as living shields, protecting coastlines from erosion, absorbing the force of storm surges, and reducing flooding in nearby communities. At the same time, they are among the planet’s most effective carbon sinks, storing up to five times more carbon than tropical rainforests.
For marine life, mangroves are a nursery and a sanctuary. Their tangled roots offer shelter to juvenile fish, crustaceans, and countless other species. For coastal communities, they are a lifeline, supporting local fisheries, stabilizing shorelines, and offering opportunities for eco-tourism.
Yet despite their immense value, mangroves in the Dominican Republic are disappearing at an alarming rate.
The Alarming State of Mangroves in the Dominican Republic
In the past 50 years, the country has lost over 33% of its original mangrove coverage. Today, 25,900 hectares of mangroves are in decline due to logging, landfilling, pollution, and land-use changes.
The numbers tell a worrying story:
2016: 294 km² of mangroves
2021: 269 km² of mangroves
That’s a loss of 25 km² in just five years.
(Sources: Hoy Digital, elCaribe)
The main causes of this decline include:
Conversion of mangrove areas for tourism, agriculture, and urban development.
Logging for charcoal, construction materials, and wetland infill.
Pollution and burning, sometimes linked to fishing practices.
Lack of planning and public awareness about their ecological and climate value.
Cabarete & Goleta Laggon on fire, 2024
EcoSoluciones’ Mangrove Restoration Work
At EcoSoluciones, we see mangrove restoration as essential to climate resilience and community wellbeing. Through our holistic Ridge to Reef approach, we connect the health of upland forests, rivers, wetlands, and coral reefs, recognizing that protecting mangroves is inseparable from protecting the entire coastal ecosystem.
Our flagship mangrove restoration project takes place in the Laguna de Cabarete y Goleta, a critical wetland on the north coast. This area has faced severe degradation from deforestation, man-made fires, waste pollution, and changes in land use. Working alongside community members, local authorities, and volunteers, we have:
Planted over 300,000 mangroves to restore degraded areas.
Trained local environmental brigades in fire prevention and response.
Run educational programs in schools and communities to raise awareness of mangroves’ role in protecting coasts and biodiversity.
Developed eco-tourism initiatives that provide alternative livelihoods while promoting conservation.
Why This Work Matters
Mangrove restoration isn’t just about planting trees, it’s about reviving the protective barrier between land and sea. It’s about bringing back biodiversity, safeguarding fisheries, and giving future generations a coastline that can withstand the pressures of climate change.
When mangroves thrive, so do the communities that depend on them. That’s why EcoSoluciones is committed to scaling our restoration work across the Dominican Republic, combining science, community engagement, and sustainable development to ensure these coastal guardians remain for decades to come.
Want to get involved?
Join us in protecting the Dominican Republic’s mangroves. Whether by volunteering, supporting our planting efforts, or simply sharing the importance of mangroves, every action counts.
🌐 Learn more: www.ecosolucionesrd.com