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Good practice Imported

Kiribati Adaptation Program — Community Mangrove Replanting Across Six Islands

Kiribati · Tarawa · See the Kiribati profile · See the Tarawa profile

Evidence: Observational / pre–post Top 58% 40/100 · Ask Evidence Copilot about this practice

Community volunteers under the World Bank/GEF-funded Kiribati Adaptation Program planted over 37,000 mangrove seedlings across six atolls; two Tarawa sites saw near-total die-off within 18 months, while tighter 'close-group' planting reached 50-90% survival elsewhere.

37,000+
Mangrove seedlings planted (2006-2011)
50-90%
Survival rate, close-group planting (Ananau Causeway)
near-total die-off
Survival rate, Bonriki/Nanikai sites (within 18 months)

Details

Maturity
Pilot
Promoter
Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands & Agricultural Development, World Bank, GEF, UNDP, AusAID and NZAID (Kiribati Adaptation Program, Phase II)
Period
2006–2011
Keywords
coastal protection, mangrove restoration, climate adaptation, community engagement

Context

Under Phase II of the Kiribati Adaptation Program (KAP), a US$5.5 million initiative backed by the World Bank, GEF, UNDP, AusAID and the New Zealand Aid Programme, community volunteers planted more than 37,000 mangrove seedlings across six islands between 2006 and 2011.

Activities

Seedlings were planted on Aranuka, Butaritari, Maiana, Makin and North and South Tarawa; at some sites, seedlings were planted in tight 'close groups' that shelter each other from wave action.

Results

Results were mixed and reported transparently. Seedlings at Bonriki and Nanikai (South Tarawa) suffered almost total mortality within about 18 months. At other sites, notably the Ananau Causeway, close-group planting achieved survival rates of 50-90% with measurable growth.

Conclusions

The programme illustrates both the potential and fragility of mangrove-based coastal protection in atoll environments: shoreline stabilisation is achievable but highly sensitive to site selection, wave exposure and planting technique.

Implementation
Indicative cost
Low (< €50k)
Time to results
Short (< 1 year)
Staffing & skills
Community volunteers, Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands & Agricultural Development

Conditions for success

  • Close-group planting technique sheltering seedlings from wave action
  • Careful site selection for wave exposure

Common failure modes

  • Near-total seedling mortality at exposed sites (Bonriki, Nanikai) within 18 months

Commonly funded by

LIFE Programme

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Data sources

Where this practice's information was retrieved from, and when.

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