conservatoin

Mangrove and Seagrass Restoration on Bonaire

Summary
Vegetated coastal ecosystems provide important ecosystem services on which humans depend. Mangrove and seagrass ecosystems function as a nursery for fish, sequester large amounts of carbon and protect our coasts. Mangroves and seagrasses worldwide are threatened by human disturbances like coastal development, tourism, pollution, and climate change. Therefore, the protection of these valuable ecosystems is crucial and understanding underlying dynamics becomes increasingly important. Monitoring restoration efforts of mangroves and seagrasses provides more knowledge on effective restoration measures. On the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire, both large areas of mangrove forest and seagrass beds are present. Nature organisations like Mangrove Maniacs and STINAPA work together on mangrove and seagrass restoration. However, there are still knowledge gaps on the most suitable restoration measures for certain areas and there is a lack of monitoring. Therefore, this four month professional internship with Mangrove Maniacs focussed on monitoring mangrove and seagrass restoration efforts. In consultation with the internship host, activities included monitoring a new mangrove restoration pilot in the mangrove forest of Lac Bay, a reforestation area near Lac Bay and a new seagrass restoration experiment at Klein Bonaire. Besides, helping to set up a regional blue carbon network, analysing data and conducting a literature review were also part of this internship, next to joining the weekly Tuesday morning of channel maintenance with the Mangrove Maniacs. With this internship research, I was able to provide new insights on mangrove and seagrass restoration on Bonaire which could help steering future research and restoration plans of the host organisation.

Date
2023
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Report number
Internship Report
Geographic location
Bonaire

Bonaire Hosts an International Mangrove Restoration Workshop

Between October 25th and 28th, Bonaire’s Mangrove Maniacs hosted their first Mangrove Restoration Workshop .  The goal was to provide a platform for researchers, conservationists, park authorities or anyone passionate about nature restoration to share ideas and knowledge on mangrove restoration techniques.  With representatives from over 12 countries, including 20 in person and 40 virtual participants, this workshop strengthens the mangrove conservation network across the Caribbean.

Mangrove Restoration Workshop Presentations. Photo credit: Mangrove Maniacs

 

International Collaboration

Representatives from around the world including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Martinique, the Netherlands, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica and the United States tuned in to share ideas for mangrove restoration practices.  Throughout this four-day event, participants engaged in meaningful dialogue, swapping ideas and tips on ways to maximize conservation efforts.  In addition, the last two days provided hands on experience in mangrove restoration, building and maintaining mangrove nurseries, as well as outplanting both along the coast and within degraded areas.

Funding and support was provided by the Regional Activity Centre for the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (CAR SPAW), Mangrove Maniacs, STINAPA Bonaire and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance.  Presentations throughout the workshop spanned from expert University partners to representatives from NGOs to enthusiastic citizens.  In total, over 20 people were able to attend the workshop in person and over 40 participants logged in to attend the workshop virtually.

 

Lessons Learned

Participants in mangrove channel. Photo credit: Jessica Johnson

In addition to creating new networks and collaborative partnership opportunities, this workshop provided firsthand experience in the field of mangrove restoration.  Mangroves are continuing to gain recognition not only for their ability to provide critical habitats and coastal protection but also as a significant tool for building resilience against climate change.  This workshop provided key insight into the importance of maintaining environments to serve as carbon sinks as well as the ability to leverage Blue Carbon in future reporting and financing prospects.

DCNA’s director, Tadzio Bervoets, took the opportunity to stress the importance of supporting and growing research and education opportunities for students within the Caribbean region.  Caribbean islands have the unique ability to showcase a wide variety of natural habitats, perfect for conducting research and staying on the cutting edge of habitat restoration and conservation techniques.  Fostering this thirst for knowledge and educational growth within local Caribbean populations will be key to pushing the Caribbean to the forefront of environmental research.  Knowledge sharing opportunities, such as these, provide unique opportunities to bring together a wide range of people to maximize communal understanding of mangrove forests.  As climate change and human-driven pressures continue to increase, interventions from all levels will be required.

Members from Bonaire’s STINAPA and Aruba’s FPNA working together to plant buttonwood tree. Photo credit: Mangrove Maniacs

More Information

To learn more about the workshop, please visit the Mangrove Maniacs’ webpage (www.mangrovemaniacs.org/workshop2021).  From here you will find links to most of the presentations as well as contact information for presenting participants.  For more information on how you can get involved, contact your local park authority or join the Mangrove Maniacs mailing list by using this link.

 

Article published in BioNews 49

Date
2021
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Author