MERA

Collaborative action is the key to successful mangrove preservation. MERA is a multi-stakeholder platform for realizing sustainable protection and management of mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia.

MERA’s partnership approach enables the integration of mangrove ecosystem governance at the village, regency, and provincial levels, ensuring mangrove protection and management policies can synergistically and avoid overlap.

MERA implements a Community-Based Ecosystem Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) approach to restoring mangrove ecosystem functions. One restoration indicator is the natural regeneration of mangrove seedlings. MERA has several restoration methodologies tailored to handle different mangrove conditions and threats.

Through CBEMR, MERA creates conservation jobs for local communities by actively engaging them in training, planning, implementation and decision-making. This helps foster sustainability, a sense of ownership, and a deeper understanding of the ecosystem.

Background

Indonesia has the largest mangrove area on Earth, covering 3.36 million hectares (23% of the world's mangrove area; KLHK, 2021). However, about 40% of Indonesia's mangroves were lost in the last three decades. (FAO, 2007).

Indonesia is yet to designate mangroves as a protected plant species. Protected/conservation zones cover only half of its mangrove areas (PDASRH, 2021). The rest are at risk of being lost or damaged. 

The main causes of mangrove loss in Indonesia include:

• Conversion into ponds, agriculture, plantations and settlements
• Logging for wood to produce charcoal and building materials
• Oil spills, waste, and pollution

However, mangrove ecosystems are important for humans and nature. These ecosystems are home to rich biodiversity, a source of human livelihood. Mangroves also provide protection from threats such as storms, waves and erosion. Moreover, mangroves absorb carbon 3 - 5 times more effectively than tropical forests.