Over a decade since it’ been decommissioned, the former the Jardim Gamache landfill, has grown to cover more than 120 acres, making it the largest mangrove area of the bay.
The introduction of mangroves in the bay area has provided some crucial benefits, and it’s having a significant impact on local communities. The mangroves are critical to the survival of coastal fishing communities, serving as nurseries and habitats for a variety of fish and crustaceans, thus sustaining their livelihood. The mangroves’ unique structure and resilience reduce the kinetic energy from storm surges by approximately 66 percent, providing natural protection to these communities.
In terms of climate mitigation, mangroves outperform even the most diverse rainforests, with one acre of mangrove capable of storing more carbon in its roots and soil than four acres of rainforest.
