Planting trees has always been important to us at Earth Broadband but we have done our research to make sure we chose just the right ones to plant. We settled on Mangroves as they can survive some of the toughest conditions on the planet, all the while absorbing carbon dioxide and storing it in their roots; it’s a double win! Mangroves can soak up to four times more carbon than the average tree whilst also providing a natural shield to Madagascar’s coastlines against floods and storms.
It’s not just the benefit of soaking up carbon dioxide that drew us to these guys; it’s also down to the natural home they create for the fish inhabiting the local area, providing the perfect breeding environment. Species like Rhizophora Mucronata and Avicennia marina have made a home in the roots of Mangroves alongside six other key species. Unfortunately, between 1990 and 2010, Mangroves were under serious threat, with 21% destroyed due to urban expansion, over-fishing and human intervention, their species was in need of serious help!
The problem is other factors affecting the destruction of Mangroves, mainly soil erosion from frequent bushfires and tree-cutting, which led to sediment dumping in the ecosystems, while fish farms and direct harvesting for timber have led to the further destruction of mangrove forests.
After finding out this information, we just couldn’t bear to leave it; we love that planting Mangroves not only replaces those lost in the early 2000s but the positive impact they can continue to give. By investing in Madagascar, we are providing jobs to local communities, creating new homes for the growing wildlife population and providing another resource to help reduce the carbon footprint of the planet.