Coastal and Marine Ecosystem
Kenya's coastline spans 536 km from Vanga in the south to Ishakani in the north, featuring diverse coastal and marine habitats including mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, sandy beaches, and terrestrial coastal forests that provide essential ecological services.
Kenya's Coastal and Marine Ecosystem
A biodiversity hotspot spanning 536 km of Indian Ocean coastline with pristine coral reefs and marine protected areas
Kenya's coastal and marine ecosystem spans 536 km of coastline with critical habitats including mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and sandy beaches. These environments show strong seasonal variations driven by monsoon winds and river discharge, supporting diverse biodiversity and serving as livelihood sources for coastal and inland populations.
Data Snapshot
Climate Profile
Why It Matters
- Kenya's coastline hosts coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds that anchor fisheries livelihoods for coastal communities.
- Marine protected areas safeguard sea turtles, dugongs, and over 1,000 reef-fish species in the Western Indian Ocean network.
- Climate change, coastal development, and unsustainable fishing pressure mean reef health and fisheries must be tracked together.
Coastal and Marine Ecosystem
Interactive map showcasing Kenya's Coastal and Marine ecosystem