SAN JOSÉ — Costa Rica stands at a critical juncture in its environmental governance, well-positioned to leverage its robust legal and institutional frameworks to protect, restore, and sustainably finance its vital mangrove ecosystems. This is the central conclusion of a comprehensive new report, Mobilizing the Mangrove Breakthrough in Costa Rica, published by the Global Mangrove Alliance and the Mangrove Breakthrough. Released to coincide with the ongoing Convention on Biological Diversity COP17 meetings in Armenia, the report outlines a strategic roadmap for scaling up mangrove conservation to bolster climate resilience, safeguard coastal communities, and enhance biodiversity across Central America.
Spanning approximately 392 square kilometers, Costa Rica’s mangroves represent some of the most ecologically diverse and rich wetland habitats in the region. These coastal forests serve as frontline defenses against rising sea levels, violent storm surges, and coastal erosion. Furthermore, they function as irreplaceable nurseries for commercial fisheries and provide critical habitats for endangered and charismatic wildlife, including the West Indian manatee, the leatherback sea turtle, and the American crocodile. Beneath the water line, their carbon-rich soils—known commonly as blue carbon—sequester more than 20 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, playing an indispensable role in national and global climate change mitigation strategies. Economically, the diverse ecosystem services provided by Costa Rica’s mangroves generate an estimated value exceeding US$1.5 billion annually.
Despite their undeniable ecological and economic value, Costa Rica’s mangroves have historically faced severe anthropogenic pressures. Between 1992 and 2014, the nation experienced a concerning loss of nearly 14,000 hectares of mangrove cover. While the rate of deforestation has slowed significantly in recent decades due to stricter enforcement and progressive environmental policies, the remaining ecosystems continue to confront persistent degradation. Coastal erosion has emerged as the single largest driver of mangrove loss, exacerbated by changing weather patterns and rising sea levels. Additionally, agricultural runoff laden with agrochemicals from nearby sugarcane and oil palm plantations, land conversion for commercial shrimp farming, and unmitigated coastal development continue to threaten the health and integrity of these fragile ecosystems.
Strategic Priorities for Restoration and Management
To reverse historical degradation and accelerate ecological recovery, the new report identifies specific high-priority areas where targeted interventions can yield maximum impact. Chief among these are the Gulf of Nicoya and the Térraba-Sierpe wetlands, both of which exhibit immense ecological importance alongside significant potential for rehabilitation. According to spatial assessments included in the study, Costa Rica possesses approximately 1,891 hectares of potentially restorable mangrove areas. These sites primarily consist of abandoned shrimp ponds, defunct salt mines, and coastal zones impacted by historical hydrological disruptions that cut off natural tidal flows.
"Costa Rica has made great strides in safeguarding its mangroves by establishing solid policy platforms and reflecting increased ambitions in international commitments," stated Julio Montes de Oca, Director of Coastal Resilience at the National Audubon Society. "As innovative finance mechanisms are rolled out, measures can be implemented in more key mangrove areas, drawing from a wealth of current local community experiences. The incipient formation of a GMA National Chapter will also increase international technical exchange and national multi-level coordination."
Strong Legal Foundations Set the Stage
Costa Rica boasts arguably the most progressive legal and policy framework for mangrove protection in Central America. Unlike many jurisdictions where coastal wetlands are subjected to speculative real estate development or fragmented management, Costa Rican law classifies all mangroves as State Natural Patrimony and public-domain ecosystems. This designation entails strict constitutional and statutory prohibitions against land-use changes, commercial drainage, and structural degradation. The nation’s overarching National Biodiversity Strategy includes explicit mandates aimed at fortifying the conservation of these coastal habitats.
Furthermore, Costa Rica has been a global pioneer in integrating blue carbon into its broader climate architecture. It holds the distinction of being the first country in the world to adopt a dedicated National Blue Carbon Strategy. Under its enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the government has committed to protecting 100 percent of the coastal wetlands cataloged within the National Wetland Inventory while actively increasing their officially documented surface area by 10 percent by the year 2030.
However, legal strength has not entirely insulated the ecosystems from operational vulnerabilities. Susanna Tol of Wetlands International noted that significant structural challenges persist despite the robust legislative backdrop. "Yet, significant opportunities and challenges remain," Tol remarked. "Thirteen mangrove areas are outside protected areas and still lack management plans, while limited institutional capacity, agricultural pressures, hydrological alteration and coastal development continue to affect effective management. Strengthening monitoring, completing management plans and improving coordination could help translate Costa Rica’s strong legal protection into stronger ecological outcomes."
Proven Success in Ecological Engineering
Costa Rica’s history with ecological restoration demonstrates that targeted interventions can yield rapid and measurable results. Successful hydrological rehabilitation projects in areas such as Cuajiniquil and Térraba-Sierpe have successfully re-established natural tidal flushing regimes, which in turn have catalyzed vigorous natural regeneration of mangrove flora and fauna.
Perhaps the most prominent example of large-scale ecological engineering in Central America is found in the Puntarenas Estuary project. By re-engineering tidal channels and removing physical barriers that choked off seawater circulation, the project successfully restored approximately 300 hectares of degraded mangrove forest. This milestone serves as a blueprint for future restoration efforts across the country. These operational successes are systematically reinforced by national planning frameworks, including the National Adaptation Plan and the National Biodiversity Strategy. Advancing this restoration trajectory will, however, require sustained financial and technical support to complete national restoration baselines, expand hydrological and ecological assessments, and empower local communities to act as stewards of their surrounding environments.
Bridging the Sustainable Financing Gap
While Costa Rica’s policy and restoration foundations are exceptionally strong, sustainable financing mechanisms for mangrove conservation remain in a nascent stage of development. The nation’s flagship Payment for Environmental Services (PES) program—internationally lauded for mobilizing approximately US$750 million and supporting more than 21,000 landholders since its inception in 1997—has historically excluded mangroves. Because mangroves are classified as State Natural Patrimony, private landowners cannot enroll them in the traditional PES scheme, leaving a critical funding gap for coastal forest management.
Emerging financial instruments are beginning to bridge this gap. The Programme for the Management and Recognition of Marine Ecosystem Services (PGRSEM) is currently piloting targeted financial incentives tied directly to mangrove-dependent livelihoods in the Gulf of Nicoya. Building upon this momentum, the Costa Rican government approved the Marine-Coastal Biodiversity Incentive Law in 2024, laying the legal foundation for a dedicated Payment Fund for Marine-Coastal Ecosystem Services.
Despite these advancements, the country lacks a mature national or voluntary blue-carbon market tailored specifically for mangroves, and long-term revenue models for emerging financial vehicles are still under construction. Because mangroves are public-domain assets, future carbon finance operations must be structured through centralized government mechanisms rather than decentralized, private project-based transactions.
The Global Mangrove Alliance report urges policymakers and financial institutions to adopt structured, long-term funding strategies. Recommendations include the expansion of marine ecosystem service payments, the deployment of blended finance structures, nature-positive private investments, disaster-risk insurance linked to natural infrastructure, and the issuance of sovereign blue bonds. International development finance and foreign direct investment will also play a pivotal role in funding long-term ecological monitoring, institutional capacity-building, and community-led conservation initiatives.
Broader Implications and Global Context
The release of Mobilizing the Mangrove Breakthrough in Costa Rica arrives at a critical juncture for international environmental diplomacy. As delegates gather at CBD COP17 in Armenia to evaluate global progress on halting biodiversity loss and mitigating climate change, Costa Rica’s experience offers valuable lessons for the broader global community. The report underscores that while robust legislation and visionary international commitments are essential prerequisites, they are insufficient on their own without dedicated, long-term financing models and rigorous ground-level enforcement.
By systematically addressing existing management gaps, formalizing community-based monitoring networks, and unlocking innovative marine-financial instruments, Costa Rica can solidify its status as a global environmental leader. Successfully scaling up its mangrove action will not only secure the ecological integrity of Central America’s most dynamic coastal zones but will also provide a replicable model for tropical nations seeking to harmonize economic development with aggressive climate action.
