A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE SHERBRO RIVER ESTUARY, SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONE

 This pre-feasibility study concerning ecosystem services from the Sherbro River Estuary was launched in December 2021 to inform the identification of interventions aimed at promoting the sustainable management of terrestrial and marine resources based on enhanced governance and improved livelihood for the local communities. The report provides a preliminary assessment of the opportunity, viability and costs associated to the establishment of a carbon credit scheme in the Sherbro River Estuary. 

The report indicates a huge carbon storage and sequestration potential typical of mangrove ecosystems, with 70% carbon concentration in the soils. The landscape's estimated total carbon budget per hectare is 454.41 TC/ha. The entire aboveground carbon stored in intact mangroves in the area, ranged from 9.08 TC/ha – 172 TC/ha