The Guinean mangrove is gradually disappearing

Along the coast of Guinea in the past considered a home of the mangrove is quite different nowadays. Several species of this mangrove, notably Avicenia and Rhizophora, are tending towards their extermination because of the activities of the population. If nothing is done, we will see the worst, warns an environmental specialist.

The conservation of biodiversity should be everyone's concern, because it contributes to making life on earth pleasant. But today the situation is completely different, everywhere across the world. Along the coasts, human activities prevent trees from growing and developing. Which is not without consequences for the environment; this is why we are witnessing rising water levels and threats of the complete disappearance of certain villages, notably the locality of Monchon in the prefecture of Boffa in Lower Guinea.

In South America, 10.52% of mangroves have disappeared since 1986 compared to 3.4% on the African continent.  Guinea is not on the sidelines of this situation with nearly 7% losses according to Professor Sékou Moussa KEITA director of the Center for Environmental Study and Research (CERE). Several phenomena lead to the destruction of this forest fringe which limits the sea and the land called the (mangrove) on the Guinean coasts, notably salt farming, carbonization, and the making of fishing canoes.

However, this forest has a great importance on the life of man on earth, it allows the balance of the climate affirms Professor KEITA of CERE. “The mangrove protects us against natural erosion, it also prevents the violent winds that come from the sea from having repercussions on us. To this it must be added that the destruction of the mangrove can lead to the disappearance of certain species of poisons which live under this forest and which develop there. Among the 1100 known fish species, ¼ is threatened. I assure you if nothing is done we will see the worst in the years to come” warns Professor Sékou Moussa KEITA, researcher.

We are witnessing a very remarkable speed of destruction of biodiversity in Guinea and this prevents the mangrove from playing its protective role adds the director of CERE, Professor Moussa KEITA.

 Alpha Oumar Bagou BARRY