Mangrove Project

The Red Mangrove Rehabilitation Project: Developing a nursery for a critically endangered local species

By Miriam Knorr

In July the Conservation and Biodiversity Committee met to plan a red mangrove seedling nursery project. The group had decided to adopt the Cliff dwellers/Jones Estate wetland earlier in the year and the chance to reinstate the island’s dwindling population of red mangroves, seemed appropriate as only a single red mangrove tree is known to still exist on Nevis, at the wetland behind Double Deuce. (click on photos below to enlarge)

Paul Diamond, a committee member, had made contact with Antiguan Botanist Kevel Lindsey and Lia Nicholson of the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua and Barbuda, who were willing to gather, pack and send 50 red mangrove seedlings from Antigua.

So in early July, Ms. Nicholson and Mr. JR Gardner of Antigua Nature Tours took a boat out to the mangroves in the North Sound area of Antigua and collected the ripe seed pods for shipment to Nevis along with a book, "Wild Plants of Antigua & Barbuda" for our Biodiversity Reference library. All were shipped to Nevis via LIAT Quickpack Service.

Ms. Lia Nicholson of the EAG of Antigua & Barbuda collecting seedpods for us

JR Gardner assists with the collection of the Antiguan seedpods

NHCS's resident botanist Jenny Lowery received the plants from Antigua and along with Miriam Knorr they planted the seedlings on the Cliffweller’s side of the water in several different places. New biodiversity committee member, Marcia Smith also researched and forwarded mangrove projects info via the internet to all members to study.

Upon returning in the morning they discovered that all of the plants had been washed out of their positions. Several were recovered and replanted. It should be noted that the wetland was changed from the previous inspection in May because of very heavy rains during June, July and Aug. The inland water pond was as one with the sea as the sand berm on the beach was completely broken though

Two weeks after the Antigua planting Paul Diamond found 12 seedlings from the Pinney’s Beach red mangrove and planted them at the Cliffdweller’s site. On August 16th only two of those were identified again due to the heavy rains and flooding.

This project has been a learning experience. Research indicated that the reason for the loss of mangroves was of primary importance. Man chopped down the red mangroves in Nevis for charcoal. Success rates for mangrove projects around the world are often dismal. A dry time is probably a better planting time and perhaps the seedlings should be grown in pots and when roots are well established they will have a better survival rate. We now know how to identify a red mangrove seedling on the beach and the correct way to plant it. The Cliffdweller’s wetland will be cleaned as part of the International Coastal Cleanup on September 25th which is a step toward protecting and promoting its health.

Ms. Lia Nicholson show the bundles of Red Mangrove Seedpods collected for Nevis

Thanks Antigua Nature Tours!

Collecting ripe seed pods for Nevis

Botanist Jenny Lowery receives seeds

Planting the seeds along the wetland

The wetland is small but well preserved

White mangrove is the dominant plant

St. Kitts seen from the mouth of wetland. The area is small but easily manageable.

White Mangroves dont have the "prop roots" of the Red Mangroves which provides the vital habitats

Usually this is the wetland beach but heavy rains washed it away temporarily

Red mangrove seedling planted the wetland

Seedpods are they appear out of the ground

One of the two seedling that survived the floods

The Need for the Nevis Red Mangrove Rehabilitation Project

Nevis 'Protected' Historic Nelson Spring Wetland before Dec '09

Over the last several years Nevis has seen unprecedented levels of loss of its wetland areas due mostly to coastal development.
The coastal wetlands are vital and irreplaceable areas that protect our coast against erosion especially during storms, providing nursery areas for many of our most valuable fish stocks, act as filters and sponges during periods of heavy rain, provide habitat for migrating birds and a host of other vital functions.

Historically one of the key species in a tropical coastal wetland is the Red Mangrove, as its iconic elevated root system serves to not only anchor the wet soils but also provide breeding and nursery areas for numerous species of fish, crustaceans and birds.

The Nelson Spring Wetland illegally clear cut and burned, Dec '09

Unfortunately over the last decade or two Nevis's once extensive forests of Red Mangroves have been reduced to one single known tree, located near Double Deuce Beach Bar on Pinney Beach. Red Mangrove also makes good charcoal and has been almost harvested out of existence on Nevis.
With the plight of the almost extinct Nevis red mangrove and indeed the continued existence of our coastal wetlands themselves in grave danger the NHCS's Biodiversity Committee has embarked upon an ambitious plan to bring the red mangrove back from the brink of local extinction and revitalize the wetlands by providing critically needed habitat for a host of species.
With this goal in mind we set about importing 50 red mangrove seedlings from Antigua where they are still plentiful, which was accomplished with the assistances of Lia Nicholson of the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua and Barbuda.
We also collected a further 12 seedling from the remaining Double Deuce tree.
We had been offered the use of the small Jones Estate Wetland area as a test site/nursery area for the mangrove seedlings.
Our idea was to plant the 62 seedlings in several areas around and inside the wetland and see which area suited them best for cultivation and hopefully eventual transplanting to other coast wetlands thus recolonizing the island with this vital plant species.
However, literally the day after planting the seedling in early July, Nevis was hit by a week or more of heavy rain storms that turned the usual placid Jones Estate Wetland area into a fast flowing river.
An examination of the planting sites afterwards revealed only 2 of the 62 seedling could be found still anchored in place.
Of course the other seedlings are still around someplace and may well flourish where ever they end up, but in terms of establishing a properly monitored red mangrove nursery our efforts have fallen short.
However, we will persevere and import more seedlings from Antigua when next the trees are in seed and we will continue to monitor the two plants that have survived in place.

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