Development of an Innovative Monitoring System for Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) to Support the MRV System in Senegal

In Senegal, mangroves cover 200,000 hectares along the Casamance River (in southern Senegal), in the Saloum Estuary (in central Senegal), and near the mouth of the Senegal River (in northern Senegal). Essential to the economy and well-being of local communities, they are facing alarming degradation due to the impact of human activities and climate change. Senegal’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) has set a target to restore between 1,297 ha and 4,000 ha of mangroves per year by 2050.

The Development of an Innovative Monitoring System for Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) to Support the MRV System in Senegal project supports the national Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system and the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for adaptation, which is currently under development. The project’s main objective is to support the development of an innovative monitoring system for restored mangrove ecosystems, which will be integrated into Senegal’s MRV system, thereby enabling effective monitoring of restored mangroves.  

More specifically, the project objectives include the following: 

• Conduct participatory mapping of mangrove sites in the Senegal River Delta to identify priority areas and those most suitable for mangrove restoration;  

• Develop a digital monitoring system-using remote sensing and on-site data -for restored mangrove ecosystems and conduct testing at a hydrological restoration site through regular monitoring of mangrove health using key indicators such as humidity, vegetation cover, hydrology, and salinity, thereby providing data to assess the effectiveness of restoration efforts; and  

• Facilitate the integration of EbA into adaptation policies (NDCs, NAPs) by incorporating the measurement system into the MRV system and/or the adaptation M&E system, thereby ensuring the widespread adoption and sustainability of the actions launched by the project. 

The project targets the Saint-Louis region and specifically the municipalities of Gandon, Ndiébène Gandiol and Diama. It builds upon a preliminary phase assessing the spatiotemporal dynamics of sensitive areas to identify priority intervention sites. Through a participatory process, this approach will enable the selection of a three-hectare pilot site dedicated to hydrological restoration, which will be subject to regular monitoring.