Latest update February 24th, 2025 9:02 AM
Restoration of mangrove vital for protecting sea defences
By Rabindra Rooplall
Mangrove, more popularly known as courida, is essential in the prevention of shifting sand banks and silty soils; however, large-scale erosion has led to breaches in the coastal walls, resulting in inundation of agricultural lands and serious economic damage to crops, livestock and properties.
In some places along the coastal belt, sea-water flows over the sea wall during high tides, this is according to Chairperson of the Mangrove Committee, Annette Arjoon-Martins.
Mangrove located on East Coast Demerara that protects the coastline
The Chairperson revealed, coastal belt of Guyana lies generally between 0.5 to 1.0 meters below high spring tide level, resulting in the coastal belt being vulnerable to flooding by sea water from the Atlantic Ocean.
And more than 90 per cent of Guyana’s population live on the coastal belt. All major industries, commercial centres, cities including the capital, Georgetown, are located on the coastal plain, and most export earnings are generated from this region.
She explained the aim of the thesis is to develop a plan for the restoration of mangrove vegetation along the coastal region of Guyana as a means of improving protection and a support to the sea defence system.
The specific objectives are:(i) to review the background to the problem of coastal flooding; (ii) to describe mangrove vegetation and natural community structure and dynamics; (iii) to describe the current status of mangroves in Guyana and their potential role in coastal protection; (iv) to develop an action plan for the restoration of mangroves along the coastline for protection and support to the sea defence system.
The action plan will include, site and species selection, planting and maintenance programme, other components of the programme and considerations for immediate and long-term implementation.
Mrs Arjoon-Martins said that the restoration of mangroves along coastal Guyana is a possible solution to the problem of flooding.
“This is so because mangrove influences the development of coastal and estuarine areas by land building through soil accretion, absorption of wave energy, protection of the sea walls, and provision of other resources (forest and nonforest) and values (economical, social and ecological), and the need to evaluate the cause(s) of decline of mangroves in Guyana and considering conditions required for restoration.”
The chairperson said that Mangrove vegetation primarily comprises of trees and shrubs, with limited number of palms and lianas. There are two principal mangrove species occurring in Guyana, Avicennia, germinans and Rhizophora mangle commonly known as black and red mangrove, respectively.
It was further explained that the Mangrove forests are among the richest and the most productive ecosystems, and form the foundation of the food chain for coastal fisheries. Commercial and traditional products range from construction timbers to charcoal, fuel, wood and pulpwood for paper, from tannin and medicines to honey, and many other utility products.
“They provide an excellent protection against erosion of coastal shoreline as their root systems trap eroded soil particles and other pollutants especially during heavy rains; serve as land builders of coastal areas through soil accretion, and minimise water pollution.”
In Guyana, mangrove vegetation can play an indirect but very important role in coastal protection. Mangrove forests do not form an impervious layer like the masonry wall or earthen embankments.
Consequently, a mangrove vegetation of any width is incapable of arresting the intrusion of the ocean water into agricultural fields. However, “mangrove vegetation when fully established, neutralise, depending on the width of the strip, much of the wave action. This kind of vegetation, therefore, can play a very important role in the protection of the sea wall or embankment.”
It was further disclosed by the chairperson of the Mangrove Committee that Mangrove vegetation, therefore, cannot be used as a protective option in areas where there is excessive erosion because it is extremely difficult to establish any mangrove vegetation in hostile conditions and even if it becomes possible to establish such vegetation in such areas.
It will not be before some seven years, depending on their growth and development, before vegetation is established well enough to be able to provide any form of protection to the sea defence system.
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