Generation Restoration: Working together to restore Sal's coastal ecosystems

Think about your last beach vacation. Imagine the warm glow of the sun on your face, the calming sound of the waves crashing along the shore - the perfect way to relax and restore your mind, body and spirit. There’s another essential piece of the landscape that you may not remember: the presence (or absence) of rolling sand dunes just behind you.

Though often thought of as merely the backdrop for a good beach day, sand dunes play an important role in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems. Not only do they serve as a home for many unique species of plants and terrestrial wildlife, they also are instrumental in protecting inland areas from flooding and incoming storms. Sand dunes also serve as an essential barrier against light pollution from coastal developments, which can deter sea turtles from nesting, as well as disorient hatchlings that emerge from the nest, ultimately impacting their survival.

Unfortunately, in high tourism destinations like Sal, coastal ecosystems suffer from increasing pressure due to coastal development, sand extraction, and unregulated vehicle use throughout the dune area.

The iconic stretch of beach known as Costa Fragata is no exception. A hotspot for wind and kitesurfing, it is also home to a number of native and endemic plants, many of which are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It also provides an essential habitat for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle, who comes to the beach to nest from June-October. Increasing degradation from high pressure tourist activities such as quad bike tours and unregulated wildlife excursions has left this ecosystem and others like it severely depleted and unable to recover without conservation intervention.

The success of that intervention depends on many contributors, but the star is a small but sturdy shrub called the Senegalese tamarisk, known locally as the Tarrafe. Like many coastal plants, it is well suited to dry windy environments - it grows low to the ground to reduce sand movement in high winds and its strong root system allows for continued growth even when parts are uprooted.

In Cabo Verde it is so emblematic that many areas throughout the archipelago are named after the plant (Tarrafal). This species has a very important role in coastal ecosystems as it helps build and strengthen large dunes. In Sal, it was traditionally used for firewood before the development of the island, which caused dramatic reduction in its population. As a result, it is now a protected species.

Together with our partners at RIU Hotels, Protected Areas, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, we established an initiative to reintroduce the Tarrafe to local ecosystems, through the creation of a plant nursery on the beachfront of the RIU Palace in Santa Maria. With the help of staff, local authorities and visitors to the hotel, we have planted over 200 seedlings. Once they have grown to a suitable size, we will then replant them along the coast to support the regeneration of local dune ecosystems.

These dune ecosystems can only thrive if residents and visitors alike maintain the integrity of the ecosystems. So, what does this mean for that beach vacation you’re planning? First, it is important to follow designated pathways, and avoid trampling on the dunes and vegetation just behind the beach. If you plan to go on a quad bike or any other vehicle-based tour, make sure the company conducts tours responsibly, and also follows the designated paths - and don’t forget to to leave the beach just as you found it - or even cleaner!