BY INDY MAEALASIA
THE Impacts of sea-level rise on the local mangrove ecosystem surrounding Marovo Lagoon, Western Province has significantly affected women more than men, according to research conducted by Dr Mary Tahu, a researcher at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
The findings shed light on the disproportionate challenges faced by women in resource gathering and food security due to rising sea levels, prolonged tidal patterns, and changing coastal ecosystems.
“When there’s sea level rise, most of these youths and women tend to travel further to get food, and that’s why it becomes a burden and also it affects them more. It is a threat to food security,” she said.
Previously predictable low and high tide cycles have been replaced by prolonged tidal patterns, with high tides lasting up to three months and low tides stretching as long as seven months.
Tahu stressed that these changes have disrupted traditional shell harvesting practices, making it increasingly difficult for women to sustain their families.
“When there’s sea level rise for three months or so, it also causes women, it is hard for them to harvest most of these shells and food. And when they are especially responsible to provide for the family, this affects women more,” she said.
Despite these negative impacts, Tahu said the research also uncovered surprising benefits of climate change for mangroves. Rising sea levels have enabled mangrove seedlings to float and establish roots in new locations, increasing mangrove coverage in areas where they were previously absent.
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