Guyana’s mangrove coverage expanded by 324 hectares during the first half of 2026, strengthening the country’s natural coastal defence system amid continued efforts to improve climate resilience.

According to the government’s 2026 Mid-Year Report, the country’s mangrove coverage increased from 21,053 hectares in 2025 to 21,377 hectares by June 2026.

The increase represents approximately 3.24 square kilometres of additional mangrove coverage.

Mangroves form an important component of Guyana’s coastal protection strategy, helping to reduce the impact of waves and erosion while providing habitat for marine and terrestrial species.

The expansion is taking place alongside continued investment in coastal protection infrastructure. The government’s 2026 Public Sector Investment Programme includes a $284.5 million Mangrove Management project, which provides for restoration between No. 39 and No. 59 Villages, as well as the construction of armour rocks and rubble-mound groynes.

The project is classified as critical and is intended to support sustainable coastal zone protection.

The government has also identified mangrove restoration, sea and river defences, and other climate-resilience measures as important investments for protecting agricultural, residential and commercial areas from the effects of climate change.

The latest expansion in mangrove coverage therefore forms part of a broader approach that combines nature-based coastal protection with engineered sea-defence infrastructure.

With Guyana’s coastal population, agricultural lands and economic activity concentrated along the Atlantic coast, maintaining and expanding mangrove ecosystems remains an important element of the country’s efforts to strengthen resilience to coastal erosion and other climate-related risks.

The government is expected to continue mangrove restoration and coastal protection works throughout the remainder of 2026 as part of its wider climate-resilience programme.