Mangrove degradation in Sierra Leone disrupts coastal ecosystems and traditional livelihoods
Original framing: “Mangrove loss threatens Sierra Leone's oyster harvesters” — Phys.org
Women like Millicent Turay are often excluded from decision-making processes despite their intimate knowledge of mangrove ecosystems. Their voices are critical to designing equitable conservation strategies that address both ecological and social justice.
Mangrove loss in Sierra Leone is a complex issue rooted in historical injustices, weak governance, and the marginalization of Indigenous and local knowledge.
To address this, conservation efforts must move beyond top-down models and embrace community-led solutions that integrate ecological, cultural, and economic dimensions. By learning from successful models in other regions and leveraging both scientific and traditional knowledge, Sierra Leone can develop a resilient, equitable approach to mangrove conservation. This requires not only policy reform but also a reimagining of power dynamics in environmental governance, ensuring that those most affected by degradation are central to the solutions.