CIEE Begins Mangrove Study at Lac Bay
Recently, work has begun on the construction of “exclusion” cages that will be placed along Kaminda di Sorobon as part of a year-long study to determine the possible impacts of grazing and trampling by goats and donkeys on mangrove habitat. The cages are designed to deter grazing and trampling by fencing off small areas (1 meter square). The cages are constructed of polyethylene mesh attached to small diameter poles and the height of the cages will be such to prevent grazing from above.
Once the cages are built, regular sampling will assess the plant density and biomass within the cages as well as invertebrate presence and sediment characteristics.
The study is being conducted by Dr. Amanda Hollebone of the CIEE Research Station Bonaire and Scott Hausmann, a retired US wetland expert, with approval of STINAPA and the government of Bonaire. For additional information on the study please contact CIEE Research Station Bonaire. (Source: CIEE Bonaire)
With regard to CIEE research in LAC. I can predict that plants protected from grazing and trampling will grow more dense and larger and will accumulate more invertebrates and sediment than those plants which are unprotected. The question is what do we do with that information. In time, if protected, the mangroves will spread, Lac will fill in and the mangroves furthest from the water will die. Isn’t that how it works around the world. Is the intent to justify this evolution and to justify fencing off the mangroves from donkeys and goats? Who is funding this research and why?
Posted by on November 18, 2009 at 3:13pm AST
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