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

The Pacific Islands region is experiencing climate change. Key indicators of the changing
climate include rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, rising air and sea temperatures,
rising sea levels and upper-ocean heat content, changing ocean chemistry and increasing
ocean acidity, changing rainfall patterns, decreasing base flow in streams, changing
wind and wave patterns, changing extremes, and changing habitats and species distributions.
Currently, the most vulnerable areas include low islands (atoll islands and other