GEF ID 8033 Continental wetlands adaptation and resilience to climate change, Mauritania

GEF-funded project “Continental wetlands adaptation and resilience to climate change” is implemented by the National Agency for the Great Green Wall of Mauritania (ANGMV) in close coordination with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The project’s goal is “to increase the resilience to climate change of three inland wetlands ecosystems and adjacent communities through an ecosystem-based management approach”. It works to achieve this goal at the three wetlands of Tâmourt Bougary, Gâat Mahmoûda and Tâmourt en Na'âj in south-eastern Mauritania by enhancing governance mechanisms and building capacity for and establishing improved wetland management. The project simultaneously works to improve the adaptive capacity and resilience of local communities through the adaptation and diversification of climate-proof livelihoods. Over 20,000 people live in the areas adjacent to the three wetlands selected for intervention. Most of these people rely directly on the natural resources associated with these wetlands, which are managed as multi-purpose systems, for their food security and livelihoods. Enhancing the governance of these wetlands and assuring the sustainable use of their resources is vital to maintain or improve the values and function of these freshwater ecosystems, and build the adaptive capacity and resilience of local communities in the face of growing anthropogenic pressures and climate variability. Finally, the project works at local, regional and national levels to raise awareness and improve access to information on the importance of wetlands, the causes of wetland degradation, climate change and management solutions. This will include establishing a national information management system for wetlands. The fact that no such system exists currently is a barrier to coordinated and effective adaptive management and monitoring of wetlands, wetlands’ values and wetlands’ functions.