EcoViva for Mangrove Conservation

EcoViva for Mangrove Conservation

            Today, half of the world’s mangrove forests have disappeared. Mangroves play a crucial role in the planet’s environment, but they are vanishing from Earth.

EcoViva is a non-profit organization that uses their efforts to conserve and secure the Mangrove forests of El Salvador. Unlike anywhere else, El Salvador has some of the largest Mangrove forests that are being threatened right now.

Some of the main causes for Mangrove loss are due to deforestation and intense fisherman farming using explosives. Mangroves are being damaged by explosives used by local fisherman to catch fish. Harming these tropical forests does not allow for water life to be supported. The roots of Mangroves, as well as the land surrounding them, absorb salt water that serves as nursing grounds for marine life. Ironically, local fishermen destroy their own food supply, because in the long run, fish will not be able to survive in the damaged environment.

            EcoViva supports initiatives to stop this process of hunting for fish using explosives. This organization works with local people to have regional and environmental policies. EcoViva has had great success with changing fishing practices by teaching fishermen of new and efficient ways to catch fish. They help around eighteen communities from different parts of Central America like El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama. The group also fights to stop resorts from being built in these communities, because it will negatively affect the environment.

            Along with supporting conservation initiatives, Eco Viva also supports community level involvement and enforcement. It is crucial to them that the community they are working in gets involved with and supports their initiatives. By having local people included in their projects, they are able to maintain their important work for long periods of time. In an interview with the executive director of EcoViva, Karolo Aparicio stated that he did not just want to “plant trees,” but instead have the Mangroves cure themselves by protecting the ones that remain. It has been found that allowing the Mangroves to regenerate themselves is a much more effective and an eco-friendlier process.

            The Mangrove forests are significant to balancing the climate, because they absorb so much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which helps to deter climate change. Mangroves support life by creating a breeding ground for shrimp and other marine life, like crab, shellfish, and endangered sea turtles.

            If you would like to help EcoViva and their mission to conserve the mangroves, you can become a Mangrove Forest Guardian. These people support local communities who fight for the preservation of their local forests. For more information, go to their website at www.eco-viva.org. We must help organizations like these to preserve the world’s biodiversity.