Ecosystems of Tanzania
What underwater plant ecosystem acts as a nursery for fish and stores blue carbon?
Seagrass beds
What type of fishing damages coral reefs and kills juvenile fish?
Dynamite or overfishing
What project focuses on restoring seagrass meadows?
The Grass Underwater Project
What Tanzanian art style often depicts marine life in bright colors?
Tinga Tinga
What percentage of Tanzania’s GDP comes from coastal tourism?
25%
Which Tanzanian delta hosts the largest mangrove forest?
Rufiji Delta
Name one way climate change affects marine ecosystems
Coral bleaching / rising sea levels / stronger storms
What does the Mikoko Yetu Project mean in English?
Our Mangroves
In “Why Whale Spouts,” what lesson does the story teach about the ocean?
Balance and respect for nature
How many people rely on the Indian Ocean for their livelihoods?
Over 8 million
Name one benefit mangroves provide to coastal communities.
Protection from erosion/ Fish nursery/ Carbon Storage
What human activity destroys mangroves for salt and firewood?
Deforestation
Which SOA program trains youth to become ocean leaders?
Our Ocean Bootcamp
Why is the ocean important to Tanzanian identity?
It sustains livelihoods and cultural traditions
Mangroves store up to how many times more carbon than rainforests?
Four times
Name two endangered animals that are found in Tanzania's ocean
Dugong's and Coelacanth
Explain how pollution on land can directly affect coral reefs and marine species.
Runoff carries fertilizers, plastic, and waste into the sea, causing algal blooms, coral bleaching, and ingestion by marine animals.
Which SOA project helps reduce carbon emissions while restoring biodiversity, and how?
Mikoko Yetu — by replanting mangroves that absorb CO₂ and provide habitats for fish and birds.
Why are Tinga Tinga paintings important beyond their artistic value when depicting marine life?
They reflect how the ocean is part of Tanzanian identity and help raise awareness of biodiversity through culture.
How do Tanzania’s oceans contribute to both the economy and climate regulation at the same time?
Through tourism and fisheries that drive income, while ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass store carbon and reduce warming.
How many coral species can be found along Tanzania's coral reefs?
more than 350
Why does mangrove deforestation make Tanzania’s coastline more vulnerable to climate change?
Without mangroves, coastlines lose natural storm buffers and carbon storage, leading to erosion, flooding, and greater climate impact.
What is the main link between The Grass Underwater Project and Mikoko Yetu in addressing climate change?
Both restore blue-carbon ecosystems—seagrass and mangroves—that capture carbon, enhance resilience, and protect marine species.
How does Tanzanian art and storytelling—like Tinga Tinga paintings and folktales—help strengthen conservation efforts today?
They keep cultural ties to the ocean alive, using stories and visuals to teach respect for nature, inspire community pride, and promote ocean stewardship across generations.
What would be the long-term effects on Tanzania if marine ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs disappeared?
Loss of fisheries, jobs, and coastal protection, increased flooding, and reduced biodiversity—all threatening both people and the planet.