Abbey Abramson

  Mangroves and forest ongoing maintenance What to put in contracts so trees live Pay for survival, not planting Milestone payments at 12 and 36 months are tied to independent survival audits (with methods published). Species-site rules based on ecological zoning (e.g., pioneers on seaward edge, higher-salinity-tolerant species in exposed sites; no planting on historic seagrass beds). Remote verification requires geotagged plot maps and publishes drone- and satellite-based checks, allowing the public to verify canopy growth (Primavera manual; CBMR) (Primavera et al., 2012). Build tenure and benefit-sharing into the design Consent and rights : where indigenous or customary rights exist, secure Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) ; define who owns wood and non-wood products. Benefit-sharing contracts : publish the percentages and timing; let communities track payments—lessons echo REDD+ research on transparent BSMs (CIFOR-ICRAF, 2023).  O&M for forests (yes, really) F...

Protecting mangroves and forest projects Forests, Water, and the Green Mirage Why “green” can go wrong Reforestation drives, mangrove plantings , and watershed protection programs are often highlighted in national climate plans. On paper, they promise carbon storage, coastal protection, cooler microclimates, and resilient water supplies. In practice, many become green mirages—projects that appear promising in photos but fail to survive a single dry season, storm surge, or budget cycle. The reasons are clear: sapling scams , inflated survival rates, species planted in the wrong places, and contracts that pay for “number of trees planted” rather than for ecosystems restored. Land-tenure conflicts and weak law enforcement widen the gap between spending and real protection. UNDP’s work on corruption risks in adaptation and REDD+ warned of this dynamic over a decade ago, and the risks remain current (UNDP, 2010/2015). This chapter focuses on three fronts where integrity failures are common...

  Mangrove restoration and reforestation Forest Restoration and Reforestation Forests play a crucial role in combating climate change and enhancing ecological resilience. Forest restoration and reforestation are key nature-based solutions that focus on revitalizing degraded forest landscapes and increasing forest cover to mitigate climate impacts, conserve biodiversity, and improve local livelihoods. This section explores the principles, benefits, and challenges of forest restoration and reforestation initiatives. Reforestation for Climate Mitigation Reforestation involves planting trees in areas where forests have been lost, aiming to restore the natural ecosystem and enhance carbon sequestration. Forests play a critical role in carbon sequestration , acting as significant carbon sinks by absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass and soils . A mature forest has the capacity to store up to 30 tons of carbon per hectare annually, emphasizing the importance...