SPACES is currently working in eight communities along the East African coast, four in Kenya and four in Mozambique. Within each country we have selected communities that are urban/peri-urban or rural, and are primarily associated with either coral reef or mangrove ecosystems, although communities may access services from both ecosystems. The community profiles of the 8 sites were completed in 2013.
RURAL MANGROVES
In the dry season mangroves are an important source of shade as well as a means to make money through selling poles. They also serve as a reference point for fishers and boat captains out at sea.
URBAN CORAL REEFS
Fishers and tourists often share the use of coral reefs near urban areas. With high density populations, coral reefs often show signs of degradation.
RURAL CORAL REEFS
In rural areas, coral reefs can be an integral part of daily life, providing a sense of place in addition to food and sometimes building materials. As with urban reefs, tourists and fishers often share the use of reefs, with sometimes conflicting priorities.
