157 Case study – Ecosystem-based adaptation in The Gambia Project approach The project is implementing EbA through large-scale reforestation, the development ofnatural resource-based businesses and capacity building. Degraded farmland and woodland are being reforested using multi-purpose native plant species, selected by local communities for their climate resilience and provisioning value as either wood,fuel, food or medicine. Enrichment planting – planting valuable species to assist natural regeneration – will reduce soil erosion and increase groundwater supplies, thus strengthening climate adaptation. Mangrove plantations will act as buffer zones, protecting villages from storms and floods, and firebreaks – constructed through forest clearing and planting fire resistant vegetation – will reduce wildfire risk. Conservation and biodiversity management is being enhanced across 10,000 ha of land, and over 150 natural resource-based businesses will be set up to provide sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem services. Demonstrations on how to create diverse ‘home gardens’ with annual productivity will be used to ensure a continual food supply. Additionally, four sectoral policies (transhumance, migration, agriculture and energy) will integrate adaptation actions into their annual plans, thus helping to mainstream EbA across The Gambia. Project outcomes Highlights of the interventions by 2019: Multi-purpose native plant species used to rehabilitate 846 ha of degraded forests, woodlands, savannas and mangroves, and plant 1,231 ha of agricultural lands. 375,000 trees protected from fires and animal trampling. 40 km by 10 m firebreak constructed to protect trees. 300 beehives under construction for 30 beekeeping enterprises to be established. 10 million native mangrove propagules planted to protect coastal villages from flooding and provide fish habitat. 45 protocols developed for EbA planning and implementation to respond to climate change. Further outcomes expected by project completion (2023): 166 natural resource-based businesses generating $4.5 million (USD) in cash returns to be developed. $11.3 million (USD) will be raised for the National Forest Fund over the next 20 years using taxes and licencing fees, strengthening future natural resource management. The project aims to enhance livelihoods for over 8,000 vulnerable people, and to ensure at least 50% of beneficiaries are women. Lessons learnt Tree species preference and numbers to be planted should be determined in advance: Tree seedling availability remains a challenge for the project, but tree nurseries are expected to alleviate this problem. Providing capital is not enough to develop successful natural resource-based enterprises: A more holistic, capacity development approach is required. Keep regular communication with regional coordinators to get timely information: Coordination of different stakeholder groups and communities takes time and resources, but has proved critical to ownership over the project strategy. Accommodate gender in project design: Conducting a gender analysis and adopting gender-equitable targets in line with national policies and priorities ensures both men and women benefit from project activities. Sustainability and legacy of project The project is utilising an upscaling strategy to integrate EbA and natural resource-based businesses into existing government plans and activities. Through capacity building and incorporating EbA into decentralised land use planning, successful EbA activities will be integrated into government services and replicated in the future. Furthermore, an evidencebase on the effectiveness of EbA and the commercial viability of natural resource-based businesses will be established, promoting future investment from decision-makers in boththe government and private sector. This aims to facilitate a paradigm shift across Gambian society, addressing the challenges of climate change, rural poverty and ecosystem degradation. Further information: https://www.greenclimate.fund/project/fp011 Diagram of the NbS interactions showing that ecosystem-based adaptation provides benefits for livelihoods, biodiversity and climate change adaptation. Return to Principles