Perspective Chapter: Mangrove Deforestation and Sustainability of Malacological Resource Exploitation in the Estuarine Ecosystem of the Saloum River Delta, Senegal

The Saloum Delta's mangrove ecosystem, a vital component of the estuary's trophic enrichment, has undergone significant degradation due to environmental stressors and human activities over the past three decades. This degradation has profoundly altered its hydrological and biogeochemical functioning, leading to a substantial decline in marine mollusk stocks—oysters, ark, and cymbium—which are primarily harvested by adult women representing over 95% of stakeholders. The study highlights that these changes threaten the sustainability of malacological resource exploitation, which supports local livelihoods through diverse uses such as construction, food, and aviculture. The research underscores the urgent need for sustainable management practices to preserve this fragile ecosystem, given its ecological importance within the UNESCO-listed Sine-Saloum region.

Diaw Diadhiou, H., Deme, M., & Thiam, D. (2023). Perspective Chapter: Mangrove Deforestation and Sustainability of Malacological Resource Exploitation in the Estuarine Ecosystem of the Saloum River Delta, Senegal. Mangrove Biology, Ecosystem, and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109415