The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) is a global tool used to assess the conservation status of ecosystems by evaluating risks of collapse based on scientific criteria, including changes in distribution and degradation of ecological processes. In 2024, IUCN completed a global assessment of mangrove ecosystems, classifying them into 36 regions and identifying that approximately 50% are at risk of collapse, falling under Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered categories. This global assessment provides valuable regional insights into the status and threats facing mangroves, highlighting the need for national-level assessments to support targeted conservation and management strategies. In response, Kenya and Tanzania are undertaking national Red List assessments of mangrove ecosystems using the IUCN RLE framework. This initiative is coordinated by the Western Indian Ocean Mangrove Network (WIOMN), supervised by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), and commissioned by IUCN. The process aims to enhance understanding of mangrove degradation, strengthen awareness, and inform conservation actions aligned with global frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The main objective of the project is to develop national Red Lists of mangrove ecosystems for Kenya and Tanzania using the IUCN RLE methodology. This involves establishing national working groups of scientific experts, policymakers, and ecosystem managers to lead the assessment process. The project also seeks to define and classify mangrove ecosystem units, conduct comprehensive assessments using RLE criteria, and document ecosystem characteristics and conditions. Additionally, the project aims to validate findings through stakeholder engagement, including workshops and peer review processes, to ensure accuracy and inclusivity. Ultimately, the initiative is designed to generate evidence-based information that supports national policy, conservation planning, and reporting obligations under global biodiversity frameworks, while encouraging stronger commitment from both state and non-state actors to protect mangrove ecosystems.
The project is currently in the implementation phase, with national working groups already established in both Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya, the team comprises experts from Egerton University, the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). In Tanzania, the working group includes representatives from the University of Dar es Salaam (Institute of Marine Sciences), the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit Tanzania (MPRU), and the Department of Forestry in Zanzibar. Current activities include ecosystem delimitation, data collection, and preliminary assessments, alongside the organization of technical and stakeholder workshops. These steps are progressing toward the completion, validation, and finalization of national RLE assessments, which will provide a strong scientific foundation for mangrove conservation and management in both countries.