Ecuador has lost nearly 30% of its mangroves since 1970, mainly due to shrimp farming and other land use changes, but advancements in technology and regulations have improved shrimp farming practices. The development of a community-based early warning system by CIIFEN for the Global Mangrove Watch in Ecuador is underway, with a focus on strengthening governance, monitoring, and restoration efforts. This system aims to integrate Mangrove Disturbance Alerts to optimize incident reporting in communities along the Gulf of Guayaquil. CIIFEN is working on providing in-person trainings and video tutorials to empower communities for the implementation of the system, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts for sustainable development models that benefit both mangrove conservation and human well-being.
https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/ecuador-community-based-early-warning-sy