French photographer Alain Licari has released his first comprehensive photographic series showcasing the unique way of life among communities living in Guinea's threatened mangrove ecosystems. The project highlights both the rich cultural traditions of these coastal villages and the environmental crisis that threatens their very existence.
Guinea's mangrove swamps stretch along nearly 300 kilometers of coastline, extending from Guinea-Bissau in the north to Sierra Leone in the south. This vast wetland ecosystem supports an extraordinary diversity of animal and plant species, creating one of West Africa's most biodiverse environments. Scattered throughout this watery landscape are numerous small islands where traditional villages have thrived for generations.
The communities living on these remote islets have developed a lifestyle perfectly synchronized with natural rhythms. Their daily routines revolve around the changing seasons and the twice-daily rise and fall of ocean tides. Without access to modern conveniences like running water or electricity, villagers have mastered various traditional activities that allow them to harness their environment's natural resources.
Fishing remains the primary economic activity, with families using traditional methods passed down through generations. Oyster farming has also become an important source of income, taking advantage of the nutrient-rich waters where saltwater and freshwater mix. Additionally, many villagers engage in artisanal salt extraction, using time-honored techniques to harvest salt from the tidal pools and shallow waters.
Regular trips to the mainland are essential for these island communities. Villagers must travel by boat to collect fresh drinking water, which is not available on their islands. These journeys also serve as opportunities to sell their fish, oysters, and salt at weekly markets, providing crucial income for their families and connecting them to the broader regional economy.
However, this traditional way of life faces an unprecedented threat. The mangrove ecosystem that has sustained these communities for centuries is disappearing at an alarming rate. Of the original 300,000 hectares of mangroves that once covered Guinea's coast, only 80,000 hectares remain today - a loss of more than 70 percent of the original ecosystem.
Multiple factors contribute to this environmental disaster. Climate change is altering weather patterns and ocean temperatures, disrupting the delicate balance that mangroves require to survive. Rising sea levels, accelerated by global warming, are drowning mangrove roots and changing salinity levels. Industrial and agricultural pollution flowing into coastal waters further degrades the ecosystem, while widespread deforestation for agriculture and development removes crucial buffer zones.
Environmental experts paint an even more alarming picture for the future. According to their projections, Guinea's remaining mangroves could completely disappear within approximately thirty years if current trends continue. This would represent not only an ecological catastrophe but also the end of a unique cultural heritage and way of life that has persisted for centuries.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, both national and international organizations have launched preservation programs aimed at protecting this critical ecosystem. These initiatives focus not only on environmental conservation but also on the mangroves' essential role in coastal protection, as they serve as natural barriers against storm surge and coastal erosion. Licari's photographic work serves as both artistic documentation and environmental advocacy, capturing these threatened communities before they potentially disappear forever.
