In Martinique, preserving biodiversity through mangroves: a nature-based solution

Near the Étang Z’Abricots marina, and more precisely at the Pointe des Sables, the mangrove has an essential role: it shelters fish, absorbs CO₂ to limit climate change, and is a larder to feed fauna and humans... A true ally indispensable to the preservation of our ecosystems.

Nevertheless, the area remains vulnerable: 18 cyclones have hit Martinique since 1950, 7 of them have directly affected the island. Alongside the Communauté d'agglomération du Centre de la Martinique (CACEM) and scientists, the SUEZ Consulting teams are designing a resilient solution to sustainably reduce the vulnerability of the Étang Z'Abricots marina to climate change*.

* This trial is part of the LIFE Integrated Project ARTISAN, “Achieving Resiliency by Triggering Implementation of nature-based Solutions for climate Adaptation at a National scale”, supported by the European Union and coordinated by the French Office for Biodiversity.

Our teams aim to demonstrate that nature-based solutions reconcile biodiversity preservation and economic activities. The project consists in extending the mangrove on a sandy point located at the entrance of the harbor. This will provide a natural and resilient barrier to protect the marina.

A three-step approach was developed:

• Installing a lightweight, reversible structure consisting largely of wooden piles
• Natural deposit of sediment, raising the level of the sea floor
• Free development of the mangroves already present at the site

Nature-based solutions are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems to directly address societal challenges in an effective and adaptive manner, while ensuring human well-being and producing benefits for biodiversity".