Planting Mangroves in Madagascar

Planting Trees? As a flooring company? You might think we’re mental, and we just might be, but since the start of 2024 we’ve been thanking our 5-star reviewers by planting a tree in their honour as part of our efforts to combat CO2. It’s an effort that started within the company in 2023 as we started to expand quicker than ever. There’s a lot we’re doing internally as a company, and the trees are one project we’ve made public. 

But less about us, more about the trees – we’re planting mangroves in Madagascar, and this is why:

Madagascar, as well as being an incredible movie, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 400km off the coast of East Africa, is the world’s second-largest island country after Indonesia. The island itself is the fourth largest in the world and is renowned for its rich biodiversity. Over 90% of its wildlife is unique to the island, including species such as lemurs, the fossa (a carnivorous mammal), and numerous types of chameleons and orchids. This makes Madagascar a critical hotspot for global biodiversity.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Madagascar has seen extensive deforestation, which has displaced many animal species and impacted the livelihoods of local communities. The destruction of entire mangrove estuaries has exacerbated the problem, causing soil erosion and leaving the land vulnerable to the sea. These mangrove forests are essential not only as carbon sinks but also as habitats for various marine species and as natural barriers against floods and storms.

Mangrove Flood Protection

Mangroves provide flood protection through their complex root systems, which stabilize the shoreline and reduce the impact of waves. The roots trap sediments and build up the soil, effectively creating a buffer that absorbs wave energy. During storms and high tides, mangroves reduce the velocity of the water and prevent coastal erosion. This natural defence system is crucial in protecting coastal communities from the devastating effects of floods and storm surges.

Planting Partner

As a flooring company, we don’t have the connections to be able to just plant mangroves wherever we like. We’re working with Ecologi, who’ve teamed up with  Eden Reforestation Projects (‘Eden’). Eden is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to global forest restoration by providing fair-wage employment to impoverished villagers.

Eden employs local people to cultivate, plant, and protect trees until they reach maturity, and they get their funding through companies such as ourselves and others that are working with Ecologi. This approach not only helps restore forest ecosystems but also brings multiple socioeconomic and environmental benefits through Eden’s “Employ to Plant” methodology.

Coastal Mangrove Restoration in Kandrany

Mangroves, a unique coastal tree species found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, are exceptional at absorbing and storing carbon in their extensive underground root systems. This stored carbon, known as blue carbon, is crucial for climate regulation. Additionally, mangroves offer significant flood and storm protection to coastal areas.

What We’ve Planted So Far

We’ve planted 167 Ceriops Tagal. These are more commonly referred to as the Spurred Mangrove. They grow up to 25 metres tall and have a trunk diameter of around 45cm! 

We’ve planted 35 Bruguiera Gymnorhiza, which can grow anywhere from 7-35 metres high! 

We’ve planted 39 Rhizophora mucronata, also known as the Loop Root Mangrove. This mangrove is pretty magic – it’s great at coastal defence and the brilliant thing is the closer to the water it’s planted, the taller it grows! This means it has to establish deeper roots to stay standing, which makes it better at acting as a coastal defence. They can grow to around 25 metres, which means they capture a lot of CO2 too, and can then be used for building construction by local communities and another can be planted to capture more CO2!

And finally, 95 Avicennia marina. These are commonly known as grey/white Mangroves and when you picture a mangrove, it’s usually this type with lots of branches and roots that like air just as much as ground. They can grow up to 14 metres tall and can withstand both strong tides and strong winds. You can also spot them around Australia and New Zealand!

Update: 17/10/24 – we’ve planted another 25 Avicennia Marina, bringing the total up to 120!

Join Us in Making a Difference

At Easipay Carpets, we believe in giving back to the planet. For every 5-star review we receive, we plant a tree through our partnership with Ecologi. Together, we can contribute to vital reforestation efforts, restore ecosystems, and support local communities. Your positive feedback not only reflects our commitment to quality but also helps us make a tangible impact on the environment.

Thank you for helping us grow a greener future.