With the present sea defense infrastructure, Guyana is already highly vulnerable to flooding. Any further sea level rise will only compound the situation since a major portion of the population will have to be relocated, the entire system of fresh water supply for agricultural, drinking and other purposes would be affected and there will be disruption of major economic activities. Increase in salinity of rivers, salt water intrusion into freshwater aquifers and lowered water quality, Change of tide in rivers, Loss of crops and agricultural lands, an important contributor to the economy Damage to communication network - roads, buildings, housings etc. Mangroves Mangrove forests are found at the interface between the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. They are also found in estuarine wetlands and in tidal reaches of riveraine areas.
Mangroves can also act as a barrier to neutralize or buffer wave action.
Therefore, they can play an important role in protection of the sea wall or embankment and reduction of damage to the sea defense system. They also help to accelerate the process of deposition of particles which are suspended in tidal water, thereby raising the level of coastal land in the inter tidal zone further along the coastline. Hence the importance of mangroves should therefore be realized and appreciated and efforts should be made to curtail their unscrupulous removal. Sand Removal Illegal removal of sand from the beaches for use in construction is another issue that threatens the coast. It leads to beach loss and renders the coast even more susceptible to the impacts of a sea level rise.