The coastal zone is one of Vanuatu’s greatest assets. Its unique values and resources are vital to the Ni- Vanuatu way of life, subsequently, the capacity to ensure ecologically sustainable use and development of the coastal zone is imperative for all the Ni-Vanuatu people, both now and into the future.
There are about 30 species of mangroves in Solomon Islands, representing 40% of the world's mangrove species. They can be found on most islands ans it is estimated that mangroves here cover an area of about 50 000 hectares.
Mangroves are important resources for livelihoodof rural coastal communities. However there ias not an endleess supply.
Erosion is the process where soft shorelines (sand, gravel
or cobble) disappear and land is lost. Erosion generally
comes in two forms; 1) A natural part of the coastal environment
where a soft shore moves and changes in response to
cyclic climatic conditions, and 2) Erosion can be induced by
human interference of natural sand movement and budget
patterns. Erosion can be slow and ongoing over many
years or fast and dramatic following large storm events.
Many erosion problems in the Pacific today, occur because
Experience shows that communities with strong traditional knowledge on weather and climate are better able to adapt to extreme climate and weather events.
In some parts of Vanuatu, though, these skills are starting to disappear. Reasons for this include language loss, knowledge holders being unable to pass information on to the next generation, and the impact of climate change on the traditional indicators when animal and plants change behaviours and habitats in response to the warming climate.