Fond D'Or Mangrove Study Site

By:Nathaly Agosto Filión

& Ted Ortiz y Pino

CDAE 195/295: Sustainable Development in Island Communities

Map of Project Location

GEF-IWCAM Demo Site

aims to address water supply and quality issues through demonstration projects and

community participation

FOND D'OR BAY MANGROVES PROBLEM STATEMENT:

- in transition from historicalmanagement

- little is understood about: - ecosystem health - ecosystem services - extent of current uses

- poor water quality

- facing possible development pressures

Mangrove Services Worldwide

- vital fisheries habitat - sediment trapping and erosion control - reduction of nutrient loading - flood control

1) Basic Understanding

- ecosystem health

- extent mapping

- current uses

2) Recommendations

- sustainable uses

Project goals:

Objectives and Methods

- determine health and extent: - mapping perimeter and waterways- water quality testing- study woody vegetation- field observations

- determine use:

- stakeholder interviews

- make recommendations:- managing for sustainable use- future areas of study

Study Area: - approximately 5 acres along Fond D'Or River outlet to sea - contains all three spp. of mangrove (red, white, black) - home to unique swamp bloodwood tree (awaiting confirmation) - used mainly for crabbing and fishing and as cut-through to beach - managing agency unclear

Water Quality Testing Results

Green = good/acceptable Yellow = borderlineRed = badGray = missing data

• Preliminary: healthy mix of large and small trees, low diversity

– South side: Red mangroves, almond, bloodwood

– Northern side: Bloodwood, lots of black and white mangroves.

Transects

Community PerspectivesInterviews with stakeholders indicate:

- Many (50+) crab hunters

- Recreational fishing

- Cut through/beach access (esp. weekends)

- Little wood extraction or charcoal production

- Unregulated access

Recommendations - further study

- clean up!

- set preservation/conservation boundaries

- identification of managing agency(ies)

- community participation/organizing local users

- communication of results with allied agencies

Thanks!!

Especially to... IWCAM The field crew Forestry Officers Herbarium And local interview participants