By Alusine Sallieu Kargbo

Along Sierra Leone’s coastline, a silent but alarming environmental crisis is unfolding: coastal deforestation. The dense mangrove forests that once served as natural guardians of the nation’s shores and vital habitats for biodiversity are disappearing at an alarming rate due to increasing human activities. While many people view mangroves as ordinary trees growing in muddy coastal swamps, scientists and environmental experts regard them as some of the country’s most valuable natural assets.

Sierra Leone possesses one of the most extensive mangrove ecosystems in West Africa, stretching across numerous river estuaries. From the Great Scarcies River Estuary in the north to Sherbro Island in the south, these mangrove forests provide critical ecological, economic, and climatic benefits. They serve as breeding grounds for fish and shellfish, protect coastlines from erosion, absorb and store carbon dioxide — commonly known as “blue carbon” — support livelihoods, and act as natural barriers against flooding and storm surges.

Despite their importance, these forests continue to face intense pressure from human activities, threatening marine biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, and the nation’s ability to withstand climate change. The destruction of these coastal ecosystems is not merely an environmental issue; it is a national development challenge that undermines Sierra Leone’s climate resilience.

Across the country, the cutting of mangroves for fuelwood, fish smoking, charcoal production, construction materials, and land reclamation for settlements and agriculture remains common practice in many coastal communities. Research by Mondal, Trzaska, and De Sherbinin (2018) indicates that Sierra Leone lost approximately 25 percent of its mangrove cover between 1990 and 2016. The Great Scarcies River Estuary alone experienced an estimated 45 percent decline in coastal forests during the same period, making it one of the most severely affected ecosystems.

The continued destruction of these forests, which is believed to have intensified between 2016 and 2025, raises serious concerns about the future of Sierra Leone’s coastal environment and economy.

For thousands of Sierra Leoneans living along the coast, fishing is not merely an occupation but a way of life and a primary source of income and food. Coastal communities depend heavily on marine resources for their livelihoods. Yet what is often overlooked is that healthy fisheries depend on healthy coastal forests.

The intricate root systems of mangroves serve as nurseries for juvenile fish, shrimp, crabs, oysters, and many other marine species. Young fish use these roots as shelter from predators while feeding and growing before migrating into deeper waters. When mangroves are destroyed, these breeding grounds disappear, exposing marine species to greater threats and reducing their chances of survival.

The consequences of coastal deforestation include declining fish populations, reduced catches for fishermen, and increasing pressure on already vulnerable coastal communities. In a country where fish remains one of the most important sources of dietary protein, declining fish stocks could worsen food insecurity and poverty.

Women who depend on oyster harvesting are among those most affected. Oysters thrive on mangrove roots, meaning the destruction of mangrove forests directly threatens oyster production and the livelihoods of women engaged in the sector.

Beyond its effects on marine life, coastal deforestation has profound implications for climate resilience. Mangrove forests are often described as blue carbon ecosystems because of their remarkable ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide. Scientists estimate that mangroves can store three to four times more carbon per hectare than many tropical forests.

When mangrove forests are cut down, the carbon stored in their biomass and soils is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Every mangrove tree felled along Sierra Leone’s coastline not only weakens local ecosystems but also contributes to the broader global climate crisis.

Ironically, although Sierra Leone contributes relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

One of the most important yet often overlooked functions of mangrove forests is their ability to protect coastlines. Their roots stabilize shorelines, reduce erosion, and absorb the force of waves during storms and floods. As these natural barriers disappear, coastal communities become increasingly vulnerable to environmental disasters.

With rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events, the destruction of mangroves leaves communities exposed to flooding, property loss, and displacement. Evidence of these growing vulnerabilities can already be seen in several coastal communities across Sierra Leone.

Although not directly linked to coastal deforestation, the devastating mudslide that struck Freetown in 2017 serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of environmental degradation. While several factors contributed to the disaster, experts have consistently associated deforestation with increased vulnerability to landslides and flooding. Recent assessments also indicate that Sierra Leone has lost significant tree cover since 2001, further increasing environmental risks.

Some may argue that mangrove cutting is necessary to meet the economic needs of coastal communities, including the demand for firewood, fish processing, settlement expansion, and other livelihood activities. However, the long-term consequences of mangrove destruction far outweigh the short-term benefits.

Every hectare of mangrove forest lost represents a reduction in fish production, carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and coastal protection. Sierra Leone risks sacrificing future economic security for immediate gains if coastal deforestation continues unchecked.

The challenge, therefore, is not to choose between development and environmental conservation, but to find a sustainable balance that enables communities to meet their immediate needs without compromising the ecosystems upon which their future depends.

Protecting Sierra Leone’s coastal forests should be a national priority for both environmental sustainability and economic security. Achieving this requires urgent and coordinated action. Government institutions, local councils, environmental organizations, traditional authorities, development partners, and coastal communities must work together to strengthen mangrove conservation efforts.

Community-led afforestation and reforestation programmes, the promotion of alternative energy sources for fish smoking and preservation, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, and increased public awareness campaigns on the importance of mangrove ecosystems are all essential to reversing current deforestation trends.

Most importantly, there must be a shift in mindset. Mangroves should not be viewed as wastelands awaiting clearance, but as valuable national assets that sustain livelihoods, protect communities, and strengthen climate resilience.

The future of Sierra Leone’s coastline is closely tied to the future of its mangrove forests. As these ecosystems disappear, the country risks losing not only critical marine habitats but also one of its most effective natural defenses against climate change.

The question is no longer whether coastal deforestation is a problem. The evidence is overwhelming. The real question is what actions should be taken before the damage becomes irreversible.

The future of Sierra Leone’s fisheries, coastal communities, and environment depends on the decisions and actions taken today to protect and restore its mangrove forests.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 11th June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)