Yucatán Community Restores Mangrove Forests

Why this is here: The restored mangrove area in Chabihau now features trees with roots reaching up to 20 meters in height, creating a habitat for diverse species.

Residents of Chabihau, Yucatán, Mexico have spent roughly 30 years restoring mangrove forests along their coast. For decades, these ecosystems faced threats from development and severe weather, including hurricanes Gilberto in 1988 and Isidoro in 2002, which caused widespread flooding and damage. Community members organized to replant mangroves, recognizing their role in protecting against storms and supporting marine life.

The work involved not just replanting, but also restoring water flow and modifying the land. Jorge Novelo López of the state’s Secretariat of Sustainable Development notes that Yucatán currently holds about 60% of Mexico’s 905,000 hectares of mangrove forest, though the area decreased from 98,756 to 96,873 hectares from 1981 to 2020.

Currently, the community is working to address illegal fishing and hopes to develop ecotourism to provide income without harming the restored ecosystem. They have begun work on a new project funded with $20 million from the World Wildlife Fund. The long-term sustainability of this restored ecosystem remains dependent on continued community involvement and protection.