Biodiversity Conservation And Restoration
Communities in the Balang Datu village and on Tanakeke island
Environmental sponsorship
Challenges
Following a boom in aquaculture in the 90s, Tana Keke island has lost over 70% of its mangroves, with just 500 hectares remaining of its 1,770 hectares. This destruction has significantly reduced local biodiversity. Today, following the crisis in the sector, 80% of ponds have been abandoned, thus threatening local livelihood activities. Indeed, the activities of the 3,300 inhabitants of the island are dependent on the sea (primarily seaweed farming and fishing) and therefore on the good ecological status of ecosystems. Mangroves are also one of the main sources of firewood, which leads to unsustainable cutting.
The objective is to convert 100 hectares of abandoned ponds into mangrove swamps and thus restore an ecological balance beneficial to the maintenance of the adjacent seagrass beds (2 potential sites) and the generation of natural resources. The aim is also to raise the awareness of local communities, children and adults alike, and institutional bodies in order to put in place recognised local regulations that will ensure the sustainable management of natural resources. Lastly, a scientific programme will help further knowledge of the environments concerned (marine seagrass beds and mangroves), including the carbon storage capacities of these ecosystems in particular.
IMPACTS
Within this framework, the project aims to restore and protect the degraded ecosystems of Tana Keke island (mangroves and seagrass beds) through an approach favouring community participation.
Mangrove ecological restoration: improve the mangrove ecosystem through its rehabilitation by the local community; raise the awareness of communities regarding the benefits of mangrove rehabilitation and conservation; understand the carbon storage dynamics in this ecosystem and over time.
Assessment and monitoring of marine seagrass beds: improve the state of knowledge and the critical awareness of communities with regard to this ecosystem by involving them in the monitoring and management of marine seagrass beds.
Mangrove and seagrass bed management: enhance management capacities with regard to natural resources and facilitate the social dialogue to draw up local regulations for the sustainable and participatory management of natural resources.
Awareness-raising and education in schools: improve knowledge among pupils at primary and lower secondary school level of natural environments through a tailored educational tool.
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