Mangroves are among the most strategic ecosystems for the future of coastal regions. They provide vital functions for climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. Can we really imagine a world without mangroves, as Duke and other researchers warned back in 2007? Today, this concern is becoming a real and imminent threat.
Faced with this crisis, Dr. Igor AKENDENGUE AKEN, Executive Director of Aquatic Species NGO and a researcher specializing in mangrove ecology, calls for urgent action. His work focuses on the diversity, ecological dynamics, and spatial organization of mangrove ecosystems; the ecological and spatial changes caused by human activities; and the development of local tools to quantify above-ground biomass and carbon stocks in Gabonese mangroves (Akendengue Aken, 2016; Akendengue Aken et al., 2018; Okanga-Guay et al., 2019; Ondo Assoumou et al., 2020; Akendengue Aken et al., 2021a; Akendengue Aken et al., 2021b; Akendengue Aken et al., 2021c; Ondo Assoumou et al., 2021; Stovall et al., 2021; Okanga-Guay et al., 2022; Akendengue Aken et al., 2023).
In the area of diversity, spatial structure, and ecological dynamics, his research aims to identify the floristic composition of mangrove stands, describe their structure, and determine the environmental factors driving their distribution. This work also examines the morphological adaptation strategies of mangrove species and their role in ecosystem resilience.
Research on spatial and ecological changes linked to human pressure highlights threats such as urban expansion, land reclamation, pollution, and overexploitation—factors that increasingly compromise the stability of these ecosystems.
Finally, the development of local tools for quantifying mangrove biomass and carbon in Gabon addresses a critical gap: the absence of context-specific methods to estimate biomass and carbon stocks. Creating local allometric equations, combined with remote sensing technologies and machine learning, will refine carbon assessments and shed light on the contribution of Gabon’s mangroves to climate-change mitigation.
Aquatic Species NGO: Science, Community, and Action
Under the leadership of Dr. AKENDENGUE, Aquatic Species NGO integrates scientific rigor with strong community involvement: mapping and monitoring degraded zones, restoring and replanting mangrove areas, training fishers and youth, and advocating for the integration of mangroves into coastal policies.
“Mangroves are not just ecosystems. They are protection, a source of life, and a cultural heritage,” Dr. AKENDENGUE reminds us.
When Mangroves Decline, Everything Declines
Their loss leads to reduced fisheries resources, loss of economic activities, accelerated erosion, and increased vulnerability to storms and flooding. Conversely, where mangroves recover, life returns with them.
A Call That Extends Beyond Borders
Dr. AKENDENGUE’s appeal concerns all countries that still possess mangrove forests. These ecosystems are not ordinary—they are an essential natural barrier.
Conclusion
Scientific evidence is clear, and coastal communities are already feeling the consequences. Decision-makers must act now. Mangroves are our last line of defense against erosion, food insecurity, and climate disruption.
“If we protect the mangrove today, it will always protect us.”
References
- Akendengue Aken I., 2016. Contribution à la conservation d’un espace naturel périurbain : cas de la mangrove du 2ème arrondissement d’Owendo. Mémoire de Master recherche DSAS, Département de Géographie, UOB, 145 p.
- Akendengue Aken I., 2021a. Estimation et spatialisation du stock de biomasse et carbone aérien des mangroves estuariennes au Gabon. Thèse de Doctorat en Biogéographie, Université Omar Bongo.
- Akendengue Aken I., Okanga-Guay M., Ondo Assoumou E. Et Mombo J.-B., 2021b. Estimation de la biomasse aérienne (AGB) du genre Rhizophora des mangroves des rivières Lowé et Igoumié à Owendo (Gabon). Revue Africaine et Malgache de Recherche Scientifiques (RAMRES) : Science de la vie, de la terre et agronomie. Vol 09, Num 02, pp 38-46. ISSN 2424-7235
- Akendengue Aken I., Okanga-Guay M., Ondo Assoumou E., Ajonina G.N. And Mombo J.B., 2021c. Local allometric equations for estimating above-ground biomass (AGB) of mangroves (Rhizophora spp. and Avicennia germinans) from the Komo, Mondah and Rio Mouni estuaries in Gabon. European Scientific Journal : Natural/Life/Medical Sciences, 17(34), pp 172-189. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2021.v17n34p172
- Akendengue Aken I., Ondo Assoumou E., Mombo J.B., 2018. Diversité floristique des mangroves de l’enclave Egoume Ikoy-Komo à Owendo (Gabon). Ahoho, Revue de Géographie de Lomé, Université de Lomé. n° 21, Décembre 2018, p. 203-213.
- Akendengué Aken, I., Okanga-Guay, M., Abaker, M., Dumont, E., Boubala, S. D. M., Ngombi-Pemba, L. & Nieguitsila, A., 2023. Allometric Equation for Aerial Carbon Estimation (AGC) of Rhizophora racemosa and Avicennia germinans Mangroves of Olende and Ozouri in the Ogooué Delta in Gabon East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry, 6(1), 148-162. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1228
- Okanga-Guay M., Okanga-Guay Marjolaine, Rogombe Laetitia Guylia, Ondo Assoumou Emmanuel, Lembe ép. Bekale Aline, Akendengue Aken Igor & Mombo Jean-Bernard, 2022. Les moteurs de la déforestation des mangroves urbaines du Grand Libreville (Gabon), VertigO – la revue électronique en sciences de l’environnement [En ligne], Volume 22 numéro 1 | Avril 2022, mis en ligne le 20 avril 2022, consulté le 12 juillet 2022. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/vertigo/35668 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/vertigo.35668
- Okanga-Guay M., Ondo Assoumou E., Akendengue Aken I., Mpie Simba C., Mombo J.B. Obiang Ebanega M., Mbadinga M., Rogombe L.G., Mouketou-Tarazewicz D., 2019. Suivi des changements spatiaux et environnementaux dans les mangroves de la province de l’Estuaire du Gabon. Actes de la Conférence : Des images satellites pour la gestion durable des territoires en Afrique, Mars, Cotonou, Bénin; p. 313-339. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/OSFACO/
- Ondo Assoumou E., Akendengue Aken I., Okanga-Guay M., Mombo J.-B., 2021. Mise en évidence de la stratégie coloniaire comme mécanisme d’adaptation morphologique chez les mangroves naines à Rhizophora. GéoVision : Revue du Laboratoire Africain de Démographie et des Dynamiques Spatiales, Université Alassane Ouattara, Bouaké, Vol.1, N°6, décembre, pp. 324-341. ISSN : 2707-0395
- Ondo Assoumou E., Okanga-Guay M., Akendengue Aken I., Mombo J. B., 2020. Organisation écologico-spatiale du peuplement des mangroves périurbaines d’Okala et Angondjé au Gabon. Revue Gabonaise d’Etudes Stratégiques et de Sécurité Maritime (ReGESMa), Éditions CENAREST (Gabon), n°3, Novembre, pp 173-204. ISBN : 978-2-3566-001-6, EAN: 978235660016.
- Stovall A. E.L., Fatoyinbo T., Thomas N. M., Armston J., Obiang Ebanega M., Simard M., Trettin C., Obiang Zogo R. V., Akendengue Aken I., Debina M., Mekui Me Kemoe A., Ondo Assoumou E., Kim J. S., Lagomasino D., Lee S.-K., Ndong Obame J. C., Voubou G. D., Zame Essono C., 2021. Comprehensive comparison of airborne and spaceborne SAR and LiDAR estimates of forest structure in the tallest mangrove forest on earth. Science of Remote Sensing, Volume 4, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srs.2021.100034.
Authors: Igor AKENDENGUE AKEN (Aquatic Species NGO) & Christy Lyonella NKOLLO ETOMBET (Aquatic Species NGO)
Date: 06 November 2025