Mangrove forests serve as critical ecosystems that protect coastlines, enhance biodiversity, and retain carbon. However, there is an emerging issue regarding the possibility of misguided or excessive mangrove restoration projects that harm the ecosystem further. In places like Sri Lanka, experts are very careful and ask for context-specific, scientifically rational approaches when addressing mangrove restoration.
A History of Exploitation: The Need for Restoration
Restoration projects prioritise the environment to help offset the historical overexploitation of mangroves due to logging, shrimp farming, and salt production. These activities drove massive degradation, which prompted the establishment of restoration endeavours.
A Call for Caution: The Risks of Unscientific Restoration
The article emphasises the need for baseline scientific study before engaging in restoration projects, especially if such efforts entail extensive mangrove planting. The expectation of widespread planting could prove problematic in instances where ecological appropriateness cannot be guaranteed.
Carbon Offsetting: A Global Incentive
The article emphasises how carbon offsetting is assisting in the restoration of mangroves. Several developed nations are funding mangrove planting projects in Sri Lanka to offset their emissions due to “blue carbon,” which is the carbon stored in coastal ecosystems. While this funding can be beneficial, it does raise the question of how far restored ecosystems funding could go in harming planned balance if projects are poorly managed.
The Importance of Scientific Rigour: A Nuanced Approach
The chairperson of the National Mangrove Expert Committee, Professor Sevvandi Jayakody, articulates the need to apply a very detailed and scientifically justified approach to restoring mangroves. She explains that indiscriminate planting of mangroves also has its downsides. “Ecosystem restoration is a functional process, but in very chaotic steps, it becomes a disaster,” she exclaims.
Geographic Focus: “Genetic Pollution” and Inappropriate Planting
Professor Jayakody accentuates the genetic delineation of mangrove species. She warns of “genetic pollution,” where mangroves from one area are moved to another where they do not belong. “It makes no sense to bring mangroves from the south and plant them along the northwestern coast,” she says. Each plant is located according to its identity and brings specific genetic characteristics.
Social Issues: Practices Related to Seed Collection
This document is additionally concerned about certain communities participating in mangrove seed collection. Payment has been promised to some of the community members for harvesting seeds, which is problematic in other ways since only immature seeds are collected. This could potentially damage the genetic robustness of mangroves and their population over time.
The Call for Comprehensive Ecological Knowledge: Single Species Focus Is Not Enough
The text stresses the need to focus on mangroves while recognising the existence of other crucial coastal ecosystems. The document showcases formidable structures like salt marshes, lagoon fronts, estuary fronts, river mouths, seagrass beds, and sand dunes that add to the richness of the coastal system’s ecology.
Improper Planting: The Destruction of Other Ecosystems
“Numerous non-governmental organisations and people are, for mercenary motives, erroneously planting mangroves in regions such as seagrass beds, mudflats, and salt marshes,” says the article. This is especially problematic for parts of the Eastern Flyway, as it may reduce the size of lagoons and adversely influence migratory fisheries and birds’ feeding areas.
A Model for Responsible Restoration: Anawilundawa’s Example
The Anawilundawa restoration site of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Department of Forests is showcased as a model positive case. They have engaged young researchers in the monitoring of water quality with the restoration work, thus demonstrating greater care for ecological and scientific standards.
Natural Regeneration: Mimicking Nature’s Processes
The article still promotes the use of techniques referred to as “accelerated natural regeneration,” which are designed to restore mangrove ecosystems by mimicking natural processes. For example, managing water flow and sediment deposition “by breaking dykes and dams to allow water and sediments to flow in, and possibly building a canal system or water channels.”
Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensuring Long-Term Success
The need for ongoing assessments and monitoring for evaluating results is highlighted. The guidelines by the Ministry of Environment for national-level mangrove restoration projects include best practice instructions regarding information loss data management for restoration stages that utilise abiotic and biotic factors, which in this case are water, soil, sediment, plants, and animals.
A Cautionary Tale: Failure of Unscientific Restoration
Coastal and marine environmentalist Maryanathan Edison cites a 2016-2017 study in Ponnalli, Jaffna, bringing forth a cautionary tale as an example. This study found “poor growth and survival rates” in areas where mangrove restoration was done in a non-scientifically designed way.
The Significance of Site Assessment: Having the Background Information
Edison argues that any restoration work takes study of the history and ecology of the site as a prerequisite. “If there are no mangroves in that particular place, then why are they restoring it?” he inquires, illuminating the need for district-level construction and background works.
A Call for Responsible Practices in Mangrove Restoration
In the final section, the authors highlight compassionate practices for the restoration of mangroves. It demands attention to the goals of conserving the environment and understanding the basic principles of ecology and the possibility of unintended repercussions. Restoration efforts must prioritise scientific enquiry, national mandates, and the needs of the ecosystem to ensure that restoration efforts support ecological health and community resilience in coastal regions dependent on these ecosystems.
