Kong
[Moderator]
7855
Notes from Time for Planet Press presentation
OMEGA’s commitment to oceanic health
was originally a product of our close relationship with Sir Peter Blake
who inspired all of us with his motto ”Good water, good life; poor
water, poor life; no water, no life.“
Our projects with the GoodPlanet Foundation are a natural extension of that legacy and we are proud to be playing an active role in the restoration and preservation of these delicate eco-systems while educating the local population and raising awareness of what people can do to contribute to the viability of our most valuable natural resources.
Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA
OMEGA announced its partnership with the GoodPlanet Foundation in Capri in 2011 and the following year, they collaborated on the production of Planet Ocean, a documentary directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot.
The film was premiered at the Rio+20 Summit and presented outstanding aerial and underwater ocean views from more than 20 countries to illustrate and educate the audience about the beauty covering the surface of our planet and the challenges we have forced upon the marine ecosystems we all depend on.
To share the story, OMEGA hosted more than 29 international Planet Ocean events and 28 film screenings in 21 countries, including at the United Nations where it was viewed by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
PLANET OCEAN IS NOW AVAILABLE, IN ITS ENTIRETY, FOR VIEW ON YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/planetoceanthemovie
Taking Action
In 2013, OMEGA and the GoodPlanet Foundation began collaborating on two projects in Indonesia’s North and South Sulawesi regions that concentrate on strengthening the resilience of marine biodiversity and building community empowerment in climate change mitigation. Together, the partners are restoring and preserving the delicate eco-systems, educating the local population and helping to raise awareness of environmental issues and to encourage sustainable development.
Established as “Time for the Planet”, the two projects have been made possible in part by proceeds generated from the sale of OMEGA’s Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GoodPlanet GMT wristwatches.
These three-year projects, carried out in collaboration with local conservation activists, are designed to maintain an outstanding natural heritage and preserve local economic activities.
TIME FOR THE PLANET
“My purpose was to show the beauty of the oceans, their diversity, their usefulness, and also the the threats that hang over them today and the solutions that can be applied. Because mankind is both the cause and the cure for all the problems. ”
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
With this in mind, the GoodPlanet Foundation and OMEGA have set up two projects for the restoration and conservation of the Indonesian coast. Established as “Time for the Planet”, they have been made possible by profits generated from OMEGA’s Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT GoodPlanet wristwatches.
These three-year projects, carried out in collaboration with local conservation activists, are designed to maintain an outstanding natural heritage and preserve local economic activities.
The projects have three primary goals:
• the restoration of mangroves and preservation of seagrass beds
• collaboration with the local communities and authorities to consolidate the protection of the shorelines
• raising awareness among the local players and the younger generation of the issues involved in managing their natural heritage.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA: A RICH BUT THREATENED REGION
Southeast Asia, which has been named the “Coral Triangle”, comprises 100,000 square kilometres of coral reefs, that is to say 34% of the coral reefs of the entire world. Indonesia is the country with the largest area of mangrove forest: over 4 million hectares. The greater part of world marine biodiversity is concentrated in this region, which represents less than 1% of the total area of the planet. This region is home to the highest concentration of biodiversity on our ocean planet.
OVER 2 MILLION HECTARES OF INDONESIAN MANGROVES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED SINCE THE 1970S
And this trend continues to increase at a rate of 2% per year. The causes of this destruction are manifold. About a quarter is due to the development of aquaculture. The explosion of aquaculture in Asia (fish and shrimp farming) has led to the creation of large numbers of rearing ponds at the expense of the mangroves. The remainder of the deforestation is attributable to agriculture, overexploitation, coastal erosion and natural disasters.The good health of this environment is essential for the local communities living along the coast. This is because the greater part of their food resources and revenue-earning activities are linked to exploitation of the marine habitat. Fishing, aquaculture and seaweed farming have all been widely developed.
In Southeast Asia, over 100 million people make their living from the sea.
WHY RESTORE THE MANGROVE FORESTS?
Mangroves, typical of tropical regions, are vast forests situated between the sea and the land.They consist primarily of trees of the Rhizophora genus, particularly well adapted to survival under these special conditions. Salt, tidal variation, silty soils low in oxygen and nutrients, high luminosity and intense heat are all hostile factors that the mangroves need to withstand.
The trees that make up the mangrove forests are easily recognisable by their distinctive roots, such as pneumatophores and stilt roots. These enable the plants to “breathe” the ambient air directly, to compensate for the difficult conditions of their environment. They also provide for the emergence of an ecosystem of incredible biological diversity, which is vital to the environment and to the local communities that depend on it.
MANGROVE FORESTS ARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS IN OUR OCEANS
Reserves of biodiversity
They harbour an abundant fauna, not only of fish, crabs, shrimps and molluscs, but also of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, some of which are in danger of extinction.
Nurseries for local fisheries
The offspring of the principal commercial species develop in the shelter of the mangroves and supply local fishing industries.
Protection of the shoreline
The contribution of the mangroves to the stability and resilience of the coastline makes them a vital defence against the effects of climate change: storms, rising sea levels and tsunamis. They are natural defenders against coastal erosion and limit the dispersal of sediments that damage seagrass beds and corals.
Timber
Mangrove wood is well known for its rot-proof and insect-resistant qualities, making it a favoured material for building. It is also used by the local communities for cooking fuel.
A source of commodities
Mangroves are a source of other products and tools - tannins and fibres for the textile industry canbe extracted from them; they serve as medicinal plants; the bark is used as a condiment; and they provide charcoal, forage, straw, honey and other products.
THE BENEFITS GENERATED BY THE MANGROVE FORESTS ARE ESTIMATED AT 186 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR.
Natural carbon sinks
Mangrove forests, like forests on land, have the capacity to store carbon, not only in the biomass but also in the soil. This capacity has been estimated to reach six tonnes per hectare per year.
40% OF MANGROVE DESTRUCTION TAKES PLACE IN ASIA
And yet, worldwide, the mangroves are among the natural environments that were the most seriously damaged in the 20th century: one third of their total area - 4 million hectares- was destroyed in less than 20 years. Over exploitation, urbanization and the development of aquaculture are the principal causes of the disappearance of these forests. Hectares and hectares of the roots of the mangrove trees, the species that are crucial to these ecosystems, are torn up by bulldozers to make room for fish farms.
THE ISLAND OF TANAKEKE
AN INNOVATIVE METHOD USED FOR RESTORATION OF THE MANGROVES
LOCATION
INDONESIA, SOUTH SULAWESI?, TANAKEKE ISLAND,
NEW VILLAGE OF BALANG DATU AND ITS SIX
DEPENDENT VILLAGES
DURATION OF THE PROJECT
3 YEARS
BENEFICIARIES
THE 1,716 INHABITANTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BALANG DATU AND THE 3,300 INHABITANTS OF TANAKEKE ISLAND, TOGETHER WITH THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
Context:
FOLLOWING THE AQUACULTURE BOOM OF THE 1990S, TANAKEKE ISLAND LOST OVER 70% OF ITS MANGROVES.
This destruction greatly reduced the local biodiversity. Today, as a result of the crisis in the industry, 80% of the rearing ponds have been abandoned, threatening local subsistence activities. The 3,300 inhabitants of the island depend on the sea (mainly seaweed cultivation, fishing, etc.) and thus on the good ecological health of the ecosystems, to support themselves. The mangrove is also one of the principal sources of wood for fuel, which generates unsustainable felling.
Setting up a participative mangrove restoration project on the island of Tanakeke will enable the regeneration of an ecosystem on which the local population strongly depends. It will guide them towards autonomous sustainable management of their natural resources.One of the goals of this project is to advance scientific knowledge of the role of mangrove forests and seagrass beds in the fight against climatic disturbances.
The project:
Within this framework, the project proposes to restore and preserve the damaged ecosystems of Tanakeke Island (mangroves and seagrass beds) using a participative community approach. It concerns the new village of Balang Datu and its six dependent villages, representing 1,716 inhabitants (410 households).
The objective is to convert 100 hectares of abandoned ponds into mangrove forests and restore the ecological equilibrium favourable to maintenance of the adjacent seagrass beds and the regeneration of natural resources. The method employed, titled EMR (Ecological Mangrove Restoration) consists of combining hydrological restoration of the zone with replanting in order to facilitate the natural regeneration of the mangroves.
The project also aims to raise awareness in the local communities, among children, adults and those involved in local government, of a recognised local system of regulation by which sustainable management of these natural resources can be assured.
Key measures:
Ecological restoration of the mangroves: rehabilitation of the mangrove ecosystem in conjunction with the local communities; make the communities aware of the advantages of restoring and conserving the mangroves.
Assessment and monitoring of the seagrass beds: improve community knowledge and critical spirit regarding this ecosystem by involving them in the monitoring and management of the seagrass beds.
Management of the mangroves and seagrass beds: improve capacities for natural resource management and facilitate social dialogue to draw up a participative system for sustainable local regulation of natural resources.
Raising awareness in school: increase knowledge of natural systems among students in primary and secondary school by means of appropriate teaching resources.
Reducing climate change: help communities understand the dynamics of carbon storage in the mangrove and seagrass ecosystems.
Operational partners:
Yayasan Hutan Biru/Blue Forests - YHB is an Indonesian NGO founded in 2011 when the Indonesian office of the Mangrove Action Project NGO was made autonomous. The scientific aspect will be handled in partnership with the University of Makassar.
WHY PRESERVE THE SEAGRASS BEDS?
Seagrass beds are broad submarine prairies found in most of the world’s oceans. They are not made up of seaweeds, but of grasses, very similar to those that grow on land?–?hencethe name “seagrass”. In contrast to seaweeds, they have true leaves and roots and they produce fruits.
SEAGRASS BEDS ARE AMONG THE MOST DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS ON THE PLANET AND CONSTITUTE REAL BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS.
Emblematic species like dugongs, manatees and turtles come to feed directly on the leaves of the seagrasses. The seagrass beds situated between the mangrove forests and the coral reefs are essential to the proper functioning of the coastal ecosystem.
The seagrass beds play a key role in sustaining marine life:
Reserves of biodiversity
Seagrass beds harbour numerous species that do not feed directly on the grasses. This is the case for several fish species, adults and offspring, molluscs (shellfish), sea worms, sea urchins, starfish and crabs. The seagrass beds also protect particularly vulnerable species like seahorses.
A refuge and nursery for the fishing industry
Seagrass beds are a vital refuge for offspring that started their lives in the mangrove. After continuing to grow in the grass beds, many species will migrate to the coral reefs.
Protection for the coral reefs
Seagrass beds are also thought of as ecosystem “engineers” because they modify the ecosystem around them. The leaves of the seagrass beds capture sediment and their roots stabilise the seabed, protecting it from erosion. This phenomenon protects the coral reefs which are particularly sensitive to excess sediment.
Natural filters
The seagrass beds filter the water and facilitate the elimination of certain pollutants. They also produce large amounts of oxygen by photosynthesis and their root activity aerates the sediment.
High-capacity carbon sinks
On a worldwide scale, seagrass beds play a major role in carbon storage, with a capacity of over 80,000 tonnes of carbon per square kilometre. This storage takes place mainly in the soil around the grass beds.
SEAGRASS BEDS ARE DISAPPEARING AT A RATE OF 1.5% PER YEAR.
Like corals and mangroves, the undersea prairies are particularly fragile ecosystems and extremely vulnerable to man-made threats from the coast. They constitute one of the best indicators of poor environmental health. Studies estimate that 29% of the seagrass beds have already disappeared, and that this destruction is continuing at a rate of 1.5% per year. Pollution, dredging, damage caused by anchors, eutrophication, overfishing, desalination and the introduction of new species are all threats that affect these vital ecosystems.
BAHOI
CREATING COMMUNITY MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
LOCATION
INDONESIA?, NORTH SULAWESI, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MINAHASA, VILLAGES OF BAHOI, TALISE, LIHUNU, SEREI, KINABUHUTAN AND KAHUKU
DURATION OF THE PROJECT
3 YEARS
BENEFICIARIES
9,000 INHABITANTS OF THE VILLAGES OF BAHOI, TALISE, LIHUNU, SEREI, KINABUHUTAN AND KAHUKU
Context:
The northern region of Sulawesi possesses one of the richest ecosystems on the planet. The village of Bahoi, situated at the extreme north of Sulawesi, lives off the bounty of the marine resources. Half the population of the villages make a living from fishing, and the mangroves in the area cover almost 10 hectares (30% of the total area). There are many coral reefs which constitute one of the major resources of the region’s economy. Because of this biological profusion, the region is visited by many tourists and is known for its world-class diving locations. It is important to ensure that these marine resources are properly managed.
With this in mind, Bahoi, together with Lihunu and Talise, have developed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), managed at community level. The Bahoi MPA is the best developed today and serves as a positive example for the whole region. The MPAs of Lihunu and Talise, in contrast, have lost much of their effectiveness due to lack of external support since an earlier conservation programme terminated and they are in need of a boost.
The principal factors that currently threaten the health of the ecosystem are linked to the overexploitation of resources. In the case of the mangroves, felling for firewood is largely responsible for the destruction of the habitat. Furthermore, a recent study has shown that 45% of the region’s coral reefs are displaying signs of degradation.
The project:
In this context, the project proposes to encourage the protection of the ecosystems by strengthening, extending and creating community Marine Protected Areas in Northern Sulawesi through a participative approach involving the local communities. Taking Bahoi as a model, this project will aim to federate the communities of the villages of Bahoi, Talise, Lihunu, Serei,
Kinabuhutan and Kahuku in order to create a network of Marine Protected Areas managed by the local communities themselves. One of the objectives is to enable the development of eco-tourism, a potential source of revenue for the region’s local communities. It also aims to increase awareness in the local communities, among children and adults, with regard to the sustainable management of natural resources, particularly access to alternative energy sources such as coconut-shell charcoal.
Key measures:
Creation of community Marine Protected Areas:
enhance the protection of mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs by replicating and revitalising Marine Protected Areas (80 hectares of mangroves and 115 hectares of seagrass beds); develop participative surveillance of marine ecosystems and initiate the training of community management teams.
Management of the mangroves and seagrass beds:
improve knowledge in the communities and involve economic actors and local decision makers in raising the degree of regulation governing the Marine Protected Areas.
Creation of a pilot seagrass bed conservation site:
facilitate access to knowledge of the seagrass beds for local communities and participate in a scientific seagrass bed replanting programme.
Propose alternative energy sources: raise awareness and inform local communities about mangrove wood management; give training in the use of coconut-shell charcoal.
Raising awareness in school:
increase knowledge of natural habitats among students in primary and secondary school by means of appropriate teaching resources.
Operational partners:
YAPEKA is an NGO created in 2004 based at Bogor (Java) and specializing in the field of environmental conservation and education. Its purpose is to develop green, sustainable activities through an environmental, economic and social approach. Yapeka works together with a local Bahoi NGO (Celebio) and the University of Bogor (IPB) on this project.
GLOSSARY
Pneumatophores:
Some species of mangrove develop outgrowths on their roots called “pneumatophores”. They grow up out of the soil and appear at the surface. Pneumatophores enable the mangrove trees to capture oxygen, which is particularly scarce in the very silty soils where mangroves grow.
Carbon storage:
Carbon storage in plants is their capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, especially during growth. This carbon is then stored, initially in the plants and subsequently, following leaf fall or plant death, in the soil. Different soils store different quantities of carbon and for different lengths of time.
Stilt roots:
Some mangrove species have highly specialised root systems called “stilt roots”. They form a complex group of intertwined aerial roots. Roots of this type enable the mangroves to capture oxygen above ground and, above all, help them to anchor themselves in the particularly unstable soils formed by sedimentary silt.
Sediments:
Sediments are made up of particles in suspension in the water that are eventually deposited on the seabed by the force of gravity. Thus sediments form the soils in which species can develop.Varying conditions produce sediments of different grain sizes: gravel, sand or silt.
Erosion:
Erosion is the phenomenon of degradation of rocks/soils. It is the process that contributes to the gradual destruction of the coast. In the absence of mangroves, the coast is exposed to wave action, stirring the sediments back into suspension. Erosion constitutes a direct threat to the economic activity and homes of the coastal communities.
Marine Protected Area (MPA):
MPAs are the oceanic equivalents of nature parks: zones where human activities are controlled in order to protect the environment. Today, they are one of the most powerful tools for the preservation of natural habitats. An MPA has many positive effects on the biodiversity. The species that develop in an MPA are likely to spread beyond the zone’s limits, thus providing catch for fishing industries situated on the edges of the protected zone.
Our projects with the GoodPlanet Foundation are a natural extension of that legacy and we are proud to be playing an active role in the restoration and preservation of these delicate eco-systems while educating the local population and raising awareness of what people can do to contribute to the viability of our most valuable natural resources.
Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA
OMEGA announced its partnership with the GoodPlanet Foundation in Capri in 2011 and the following year, they collaborated on the production of Planet Ocean, a documentary directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot.
The film was premiered at the Rio+20 Summit and presented outstanding aerial and underwater ocean views from more than 20 countries to illustrate and educate the audience about the beauty covering the surface of our planet and the challenges we have forced upon the marine ecosystems we all depend on.
To share the story, OMEGA hosted more than 29 international Planet Ocean events and 28 film screenings in 21 countries, including at the United Nations where it was viewed by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
PLANET OCEAN IS NOW AVAILABLE, IN ITS ENTIRETY, FOR VIEW ON YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/planetoceanthemovie
Taking Action
In 2013, OMEGA and the GoodPlanet Foundation began collaborating on two projects in Indonesia’s North and South Sulawesi regions that concentrate on strengthening the resilience of marine biodiversity and building community empowerment in climate change mitigation. Together, the partners are restoring and preserving the delicate eco-systems, educating the local population and helping to raise awareness of environmental issues and to encourage sustainable development.
Established as “Time for the Planet”, the two projects have been made possible in part by proceeds generated from the sale of OMEGA’s Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GoodPlanet GMT wristwatches.
These three-year projects, carried out in collaboration with local conservation activists, are designed to maintain an outstanding natural heritage and preserve local economic activities.
TIME FOR THE PLANET
“My purpose was to show the beauty of the oceans, their diversity, their usefulness, and also the the threats that hang over them today and the solutions that can be applied. Because mankind is both the cause and the cure for all the problems. ”
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
With this in mind, the GoodPlanet Foundation and OMEGA have set up two projects for the restoration and conservation of the Indonesian coast. Established as “Time for the Planet”, they have been made possible by profits generated from OMEGA’s Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT GoodPlanet wristwatches.
These three-year projects, carried out in collaboration with local conservation activists, are designed to maintain an outstanding natural heritage and preserve local economic activities.
The projects have three primary goals:
• the restoration of mangroves and preservation of seagrass beds
• collaboration with the local communities and authorities to consolidate the protection of the shorelines
• raising awareness among the local players and the younger generation of the issues involved in managing their natural heritage.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA: A RICH BUT THREATENED REGION
Southeast Asia, which has been named the “Coral Triangle”, comprises 100,000 square kilometres of coral reefs, that is to say 34% of the coral reefs of the entire world. Indonesia is the country with the largest area of mangrove forest: over 4 million hectares. The greater part of world marine biodiversity is concentrated in this region, which represents less than 1% of the total area of the planet. This region is home to the highest concentration of biodiversity on our ocean planet.
OVER 2 MILLION HECTARES OF INDONESIAN MANGROVES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED SINCE THE 1970S
And this trend continues to increase at a rate of 2% per year. The causes of this destruction are manifold. About a quarter is due to the development of aquaculture. The explosion of aquaculture in Asia (fish and shrimp farming) has led to the creation of large numbers of rearing ponds at the expense of the mangroves. The remainder of the deforestation is attributable to agriculture, overexploitation, coastal erosion and natural disasters.The good health of this environment is essential for the local communities living along the coast. This is because the greater part of their food resources and revenue-earning activities are linked to exploitation of the marine habitat. Fishing, aquaculture and seaweed farming have all been widely developed.
In Southeast Asia, over 100 million people make their living from the sea.
WHY RESTORE THE MANGROVE FORESTS?
Mangroves, typical of tropical regions, are vast forests situated between the sea and the land.They consist primarily of trees of the Rhizophora genus, particularly well adapted to survival under these special conditions. Salt, tidal variation, silty soils low in oxygen and nutrients, high luminosity and intense heat are all hostile factors that the mangroves need to withstand.
The trees that make up the mangrove forests are easily recognisable by their distinctive roots, such as pneumatophores and stilt roots. These enable the plants to “breathe” the ambient air directly, to compensate for the difficult conditions of their environment. They also provide for the emergence of an ecosystem of incredible biological diversity, which is vital to the environment and to the local communities that depend on it.
MANGROVE FORESTS ARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS IN OUR OCEANS
Reserves of biodiversity
They harbour an abundant fauna, not only of fish, crabs, shrimps and molluscs, but also of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, some of which are in danger of extinction.
Nurseries for local fisheries
The offspring of the principal commercial species develop in the shelter of the mangroves and supply local fishing industries.
Protection of the shoreline
The contribution of the mangroves to the stability and resilience of the coastline makes them a vital defence against the effects of climate change: storms, rising sea levels and tsunamis. They are natural defenders against coastal erosion and limit the dispersal of sediments that damage seagrass beds and corals.
Timber
Mangrove wood is well known for its rot-proof and insect-resistant qualities, making it a favoured material for building. It is also used by the local communities for cooking fuel.
A source of commodities
Mangroves are a source of other products and tools - tannins and fibres for the textile industry canbe extracted from them; they serve as medicinal plants; the bark is used as a condiment; and they provide charcoal, forage, straw, honey and other products.
THE BENEFITS GENERATED BY THE MANGROVE FORESTS ARE ESTIMATED AT 186 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR.
Natural carbon sinks
Mangrove forests, like forests on land, have the capacity to store carbon, not only in the biomass but also in the soil. This capacity has been estimated to reach six tonnes per hectare per year.
40% OF MANGROVE DESTRUCTION TAKES PLACE IN ASIA
And yet, worldwide, the mangroves are among the natural environments that were the most seriously damaged in the 20th century: one third of their total area - 4 million hectares- was destroyed in less than 20 years. Over exploitation, urbanization and the development of aquaculture are the principal causes of the disappearance of these forests. Hectares and hectares of the roots of the mangrove trees, the species that are crucial to these ecosystems, are torn up by bulldozers to make room for fish farms.
THE ISLAND OF TANAKEKE
AN INNOVATIVE METHOD USED FOR RESTORATION OF THE MANGROVES
LOCATION
INDONESIA, SOUTH SULAWESI?, TANAKEKE ISLAND,
NEW VILLAGE OF BALANG DATU AND ITS SIX
DEPENDENT VILLAGES
DURATION OF THE PROJECT
3 YEARS
BENEFICIARIES
THE 1,716 INHABITANTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BALANG DATU AND THE 3,300 INHABITANTS OF TANAKEKE ISLAND, TOGETHER WITH THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
Context:
FOLLOWING THE AQUACULTURE BOOM OF THE 1990S, TANAKEKE ISLAND LOST OVER 70% OF ITS MANGROVES.
This destruction greatly reduced the local biodiversity. Today, as a result of the crisis in the industry, 80% of the rearing ponds have been abandoned, threatening local subsistence activities. The 3,300 inhabitants of the island depend on the sea (mainly seaweed cultivation, fishing, etc.) and thus on the good ecological health of the ecosystems, to support themselves. The mangrove is also one of the principal sources of wood for fuel, which generates unsustainable felling.
Setting up a participative mangrove restoration project on the island of Tanakeke will enable the regeneration of an ecosystem on which the local population strongly depends. It will guide them towards autonomous sustainable management of their natural resources.One of the goals of this project is to advance scientific knowledge of the role of mangrove forests and seagrass beds in the fight against climatic disturbances.
The project:
Within this framework, the project proposes to restore and preserve the damaged ecosystems of Tanakeke Island (mangroves and seagrass beds) using a participative community approach. It concerns the new village of Balang Datu and its six dependent villages, representing 1,716 inhabitants (410 households).
The objective is to convert 100 hectares of abandoned ponds into mangrove forests and restore the ecological equilibrium favourable to maintenance of the adjacent seagrass beds and the regeneration of natural resources. The method employed, titled EMR (Ecological Mangrove Restoration) consists of combining hydrological restoration of the zone with replanting in order to facilitate the natural regeneration of the mangroves.
The project also aims to raise awareness in the local communities, among children, adults and those involved in local government, of a recognised local system of regulation by which sustainable management of these natural resources can be assured.
Key measures:
Ecological restoration of the mangroves: rehabilitation of the mangrove ecosystem in conjunction with the local communities; make the communities aware of the advantages of restoring and conserving the mangroves.
Assessment and monitoring of the seagrass beds: improve community knowledge and critical spirit regarding this ecosystem by involving them in the monitoring and management of the seagrass beds.
Management of the mangroves and seagrass beds: improve capacities for natural resource management and facilitate social dialogue to draw up a participative system for sustainable local regulation of natural resources.
Raising awareness in school: increase knowledge of natural systems among students in primary and secondary school by means of appropriate teaching resources.
Reducing climate change: help communities understand the dynamics of carbon storage in the mangrove and seagrass ecosystems.
Operational partners:
Yayasan Hutan Biru/Blue Forests - YHB is an Indonesian NGO founded in 2011 when the Indonesian office of the Mangrove Action Project NGO was made autonomous. The scientific aspect will be handled in partnership with the University of Makassar.
WHY PRESERVE THE SEAGRASS BEDS?
Seagrass beds are broad submarine prairies found in most of the world’s oceans. They are not made up of seaweeds, but of grasses, very similar to those that grow on land?–?hencethe name “seagrass”. In contrast to seaweeds, they have true leaves and roots and they produce fruits.
SEAGRASS BEDS ARE AMONG THE MOST DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS ON THE PLANET AND CONSTITUTE REAL BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS.
Emblematic species like dugongs, manatees and turtles come to feed directly on the leaves of the seagrasses. The seagrass beds situated between the mangrove forests and the coral reefs are essential to the proper functioning of the coastal ecosystem.
The seagrass beds play a key role in sustaining marine life:
Reserves of biodiversity
Seagrass beds harbour numerous species that do not feed directly on the grasses. This is the case for several fish species, adults and offspring, molluscs (shellfish), sea worms, sea urchins, starfish and crabs. The seagrass beds also protect particularly vulnerable species like seahorses.
A refuge and nursery for the fishing industry
Seagrass beds are a vital refuge for offspring that started their lives in the mangrove. After continuing to grow in the grass beds, many species will migrate to the coral reefs.
Protection for the coral reefs
Seagrass beds are also thought of as ecosystem “engineers” because they modify the ecosystem around them. The leaves of the seagrass beds capture sediment and their roots stabilise the seabed, protecting it from erosion. This phenomenon protects the coral reefs which are particularly sensitive to excess sediment.
Natural filters
The seagrass beds filter the water and facilitate the elimination of certain pollutants. They also produce large amounts of oxygen by photosynthesis and their root activity aerates the sediment.
High-capacity carbon sinks
On a worldwide scale, seagrass beds play a major role in carbon storage, with a capacity of over 80,000 tonnes of carbon per square kilometre. This storage takes place mainly in the soil around the grass beds.
SEAGRASS BEDS ARE DISAPPEARING AT A RATE OF 1.5% PER YEAR.
Like corals and mangroves, the undersea prairies are particularly fragile ecosystems and extremely vulnerable to man-made threats from the coast. They constitute one of the best indicators of poor environmental health. Studies estimate that 29% of the seagrass beds have already disappeared, and that this destruction is continuing at a rate of 1.5% per year. Pollution, dredging, damage caused by anchors, eutrophication, overfishing, desalination and the introduction of new species are all threats that affect these vital ecosystems.
BAHOI
CREATING COMMUNITY MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
LOCATION
INDONESIA?, NORTH SULAWESI, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MINAHASA, VILLAGES OF BAHOI, TALISE, LIHUNU, SEREI, KINABUHUTAN AND KAHUKU
DURATION OF THE PROJECT
3 YEARS
BENEFICIARIES
9,000 INHABITANTS OF THE VILLAGES OF BAHOI, TALISE, LIHUNU, SEREI, KINABUHUTAN AND KAHUKU
Context:
The northern region of Sulawesi possesses one of the richest ecosystems on the planet. The village of Bahoi, situated at the extreme north of Sulawesi, lives off the bounty of the marine resources. Half the population of the villages make a living from fishing, and the mangroves in the area cover almost 10 hectares (30% of the total area). There are many coral reefs which constitute one of the major resources of the region’s economy. Because of this biological profusion, the region is visited by many tourists and is known for its world-class diving locations. It is important to ensure that these marine resources are properly managed.
With this in mind, Bahoi, together with Lihunu and Talise, have developed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), managed at community level. The Bahoi MPA is the best developed today and serves as a positive example for the whole region. The MPAs of Lihunu and Talise, in contrast, have lost much of their effectiveness due to lack of external support since an earlier conservation programme terminated and they are in need of a boost.
The principal factors that currently threaten the health of the ecosystem are linked to the overexploitation of resources. In the case of the mangroves, felling for firewood is largely responsible for the destruction of the habitat. Furthermore, a recent study has shown that 45% of the region’s coral reefs are displaying signs of degradation.
The project:
In this context, the project proposes to encourage the protection of the ecosystems by strengthening, extending and creating community Marine Protected Areas in Northern Sulawesi through a participative approach involving the local communities. Taking Bahoi as a model, this project will aim to federate the communities of the villages of Bahoi, Talise, Lihunu, Serei,
Kinabuhutan and Kahuku in order to create a network of Marine Protected Areas managed by the local communities themselves. One of the objectives is to enable the development of eco-tourism, a potential source of revenue for the region’s local communities. It also aims to increase awareness in the local communities, among children and adults, with regard to the sustainable management of natural resources, particularly access to alternative energy sources such as coconut-shell charcoal.
Key measures:
Creation of community Marine Protected Areas:
enhance the protection of mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs by replicating and revitalising Marine Protected Areas (80 hectares of mangroves and 115 hectares of seagrass beds); develop participative surveillance of marine ecosystems and initiate the training of community management teams.
Management of the mangroves and seagrass beds:
improve knowledge in the communities and involve economic actors and local decision makers in raising the degree of regulation governing the Marine Protected Areas.
Creation of a pilot seagrass bed conservation site:
facilitate access to knowledge of the seagrass beds for local communities and participate in a scientific seagrass bed replanting programme.
Propose alternative energy sources: raise awareness and inform local communities about mangrove wood management; give training in the use of coconut-shell charcoal.
Raising awareness in school:
increase knowledge of natural habitats among students in primary and secondary school by means of appropriate teaching resources.
Operational partners:
YAPEKA is an NGO created in 2004 based at Bogor (Java) and specializing in the field of environmental conservation and education. Its purpose is to develop green, sustainable activities through an environmental, economic and social approach. Yapeka works together with a local Bahoi NGO (Celebio) and the University of Bogor (IPB) on this project.
GLOSSARY
Pneumatophores:
Some species of mangrove develop outgrowths on their roots called “pneumatophores”. They grow up out of the soil and appear at the surface. Pneumatophores enable the mangrove trees to capture oxygen, which is particularly scarce in the very silty soils where mangroves grow.
Carbon storage:
Carbon storage in plants is their capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, especially during growth. This carbon is then stored, initially in the plants and subsequently, following leaf fall or plant death, in the soil. Different soils store different quantities of carbon and for different lengths of time.
Stilt roots:
Some mangrove species have highly specialised root systems called “stilt roots”. They form a complex group of intertwined aerial roots. Roots of this type enable the mangroves to capture oxygen above ground and, above all, help them to anchor themselves in the particularly unstable soils formed by sedimentary silt.
Sediments:
Sediments are made up of particles in suspension in the water that are eventually deposited on the seabed by the force of gravity. Thus sediments form the soils in which species can develop.Varying conditions produce sediments of different grain sizes: gravel, sand or silt.
Erosion:
Erosion is the phenomenon of degradation of rocks/soils. It is the process that contributes to the gradual destruction of the coast. In the absence of mangroves, the coast is exposed to wave action, stirring the sediments back into suspension. Erosion constitutes a direct threat to the economic activity and homes of the coastal communities.
Marine Protected Area (MPA):
MPAs are the oceanic equivalents of nature parks: zones where human activities are controlled in order to protect the environment. Today, they are one of the most powerful tools for the preservation of natural habitats. An MPA has many positive effects on the biodiversity. The species that develop in an MPA are likely to spread beyond the zone’s limits, thus providing catch for fishing industries situated on the edges of the protected zone.
Some wonderful pictures of Tanakeke Island - Enriching sustainable living in local community
Another set of beautiful pics - Bahoi - educate community on marine sustainability
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