“Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction”
In keeping with the theme for World Wetlands Day 2017, “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction,” the Alligator Head Foundation and Alligator Head Marine Lab undertook mangrove outplanting activities at a site in the Salt Creek area of Portland as part of our mangrove rehabilitation efforts. The site was chosen after assessments of wetlands in the area revealed that Salt Creek has existing patches of mangroves which would support the growth of seedlings transplanted from a head starting programme. The site has also suffered from a loss of mangroves as a result of human intervention.
In our efforts to help restore the area, we partnered with Lady G Diver and students from the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) 4H club to outplant seedlings on 25 February 2017. The students were particularly intrigued as they learnt about the importance of mangroves from AHML Research Coordinator Denise Henry, and helped to outplant seedlings.
The day’s activities were successful; together, we outplanted 330 red mangrove seedlings and tagged 19 (5.76%) for monitoring in the future. Successful efforts to restore the mangrove swamp will help to protect the coast, reduce flooding and serve as a habitat for fish, birds and crabs.