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Saturday, October 26, 2019

MAP News Issue 480 - Oct. 26, 2019

Mangrove Action Project
The MAP News
480th Edition                                                     Oct 26, 2019

FEATURE

NT traditional owners urge climate change policy makers to witness mangrove devastation
Australian-mangrove-die-off
AUSTRALIA - Traditional owners are devastated by the lack of recovery at the site of Australia's worst recorded mangrove dieback and are calling for action to limit climate change threats. Traditional owner Patsy Evans had hoped there would be signs of recovery at the site of the mangrove dieback, in the Gulf of Carpentaria. But during a recent visit to the area for the first time since 2015, when she and her husband alerted the Northern Territory Government to the extent of the damage, she was devastated by the scene. She said she wanted policy makers to see how climate change was affecting the land near her home on the Limmen River, 750 kilometres south of Darwin. "Go out and see what's happening, be aware and look at it, and don't make decisions where you are," she said. The mangroves were once nurseries for the mud crab, barramundi and prawn fisheries, but now consist mainly of dead trees and dusty earth. The few live seedlings coming through are exposed, and vulnerable to damage from the fallen dead trees. Scientists from Queensland and Northern Territory universities said one contributing factor was a temporary drop in sea levels, caused by a change in the trade winds, which left the forests unusually high and dry. But they said another factor in the dieback along 1,000 kilometres of coastline was climate change and a sharp increase in the sea temperature. READ MORE
 
GLOBAL
 
Latest from the Connected Mangroves reforestation project
ericsson-our-company-purpose-environment-energy-climate-action-eeca-89588crop0029721672resize1500844autoorientbackground23ffffffquality90stripextensionjpgid8.jpg?w=1212&h=682&mode=crop
GLOBAL - The last time we saw black-faced spoonbills in the Pampanga river in the Philippines was more than 100 years ago. These coastal birds, found only in East Asia, have been classified as an endangered species since 2000. Owing to the impacts of deforestation, pollution, and man-made industries in what was once their breeding grounds, their populations are predicted to decline even further in the future. However, in early 2019, the community of Sasmuan in Pampanga was greeted by the sight of three of these endangered species flying over the river. This area, in particular the Bangkung Malapad islet mangrove forest, is the site of the Connected Mangroves reforestation project between Ericsson, Smart Communications, and the local government unit of Pampanga. Connected Mangroves is a reforestation project which leverages connected technologies such as solar-powered sensors and real-time camera footage to collect critical data and present it to local communities on a digital dashboard. Initiated in 2017, the project offers the local community a platform to check on water, soil and humidity conditions, and remotely monitor any intrusion on the site. We began this reforestation project with the intention to see just how far we could go in mangrove restoration efforts by harnessing the power of mobile technology. READ MORE
 
AFRICA
 
Restoring Earth's natural defenders
restoringear
KENYA - It's no secret that the forests of the world are under severe pressure from human activities. We tend to think of tropical forests, and in particular the Amazon, as bearing the brunt of the impacts of deforestation and other drivers of forest clearance. While tropical forests are faring badly, there is another forest type that has been subject to more degradation and destruction than any forest type on Earth over the last 50 years: mangrove forests. In northern Kenya, FFI has partnered with the Northern Rangelands Trust to support Pate Island Conservancy in addressing the significant threat posed by the unsustainable extraction of mangroves for firewood and poles used in construction. Efforts to reduce illegal exploitation have so far focused on increasing the number of patrols carried out by local rangers, which has enabled suspects to be apprehended. Additionally, a total of 35,250 seedlings were planted between 2015 and 2018. The protection and restoration of mangroves is critical to the fight against climate change, as well as central to ensuring local communities are protected from climate impacts. Mangrove forest protection will also ensure that local communities continue to benefit from the livelihoods provided by these ecosystems. READ MORE
 
AMERICA
 
Florida mangroves reveal complex relationship between climate and natural systems
Florida-mangrove
USA - angroves are tropical, salt-tolerant trees that grow in the intertidal zone of coastal waters. They don’t tolerate cold weather, particularly extreme freezes, during which they die and get replaced by coastal salt marshes. In the 1980s, a series of freezes caused the most recent major die-off of Floridian mangroves (and citrus crops, which also fare poorly in cold weather). Since then, previous research showed, mangroves have flourished and expanded further from the tropics. As global temperatures continue rising, noting where mangroves and similar trees and vegetation flourish can serve as a marker to monitor the effects of climate change. A new study led by UCLA’s Kyle Cavanaugh of how Florida’s mangroves and salt marshes are affected by changes in climate, both man-made and natural, illustrates the complex interplay between our changing climate and living natural systems. The paper, which was published in PNAS, found that decades-long, natural climate cycles have determined the northern extent of Florida mangroves for at least the past 250 years. Freeze events that took place approximately every 10 to 30 years caused die-offs, during which mangroves were replaced by salt marshes until warmer trends spurred regrowth. READ MORE
 
Florida Alum develops clothing with a cause: mangroves
Brothers-mangroflage
U.S.A. - Kyle Rossin wears his heart on his sleeve: Mangroves cover the arms and body of his moisture-wicking, ultraviolet-light-shielding polyester shirt. Restoring these plants vital to Florida’s fragile coastal ecosystem is Rossin’s passion as well as his entrée into entrepreneurship. That camouflage-print shirt patterned after mangroves — “Mangroflage,” they call it — planted the seed for MANG gear, a line of fishing apparel that the 2015 FGCU grad and his brother, Keith, launched as a way to raise money to restore mangroves. For each product sold, the company plants a mangrove. So far, close to 60,000 have been placed in vulnerable areas of Florida, Madagascar, Honduras, Indonesia and Mozambique. Keith, left, and Kyle Rossin launched MANG apparel to support mangrove restoration. “Keith and I wouldn’t be in the apparel industry for any other reason,” Rossin said. “We had no desire to sell apparel. We thought we’d make a T-shirt, and it would be a one-off thing. The opportunity to plant mangroves and teach people about their importance to the environment is our real mission.” READ MORE
 
ASIA
 
Phuket residents force ‘ring road’ to avoid mangroves, houses
Phuket-ring-road
THAILAND - Local residents in Pa Khlok have voted against the last stage of four-lane “ring road” being paved through the area from passing through mangroves, forcing the Highways Department to redraw its plans and resubmit them for approval. The “ring road” project to expand Route 4026 through Pa Khlok at a cost of B720 million aims to ease the expected impending traffic congestion when construction of the Phuket light-rail finally begins. The affected section of the road is a stretch of 140 meters that was to be elevated as it passed through a mangrove forest covering about 217 rai, Phuket Highways Office Director Somwang Lohanut told The Phuket News. The people want to preserve the mangroves in their community, which is the major reason for them requiring this project to keep clear of mangroves,” he said. “We have presented them an alternative route which goes around the mangrove forest, avoiding the mangroves entirely” Mr Somwang added. Initially, the plan was for the road to be elevated and pass directly through the mangroves, but due to objections from local residents an alternative route which passed through a smaller part of the mangrove forest was present – but that too was rejected, Mr Somwang explained. READ MORE
 
In 5 Years, Fisherman Plants 75000+ Mangrove Trees Along Kerala’s Coast
5-year-replanting
INDIA - Environmental crisis is looming higher on the horizon with unpredictable natural disasters, extinction of species and increased global warming. It’s time to accept that climate change is real you guys and if we don’t work toward conserving the planet, we’ll slowly see the world disintegrating right in front of our eyes! Thankfully, there are enlightened and proactive souls who relentlessly work toward mitigating this crisis in full force! A case in point is Murukesan TP, a 53-year-old fisherman  who has helped in the plantation of over 75,000+ mangrove trees across coastlines, brackish water areas and forests. The fisherman from Vypin, Kerala, works with the Social Forestry Department in the Ernakulam district in plantation drives. He has also created a small nursery at his home where he grows over 15,000 saplings in a year, which he sells to the Forest Department for Rs. 14 per sapling. “I started doing this because of environmental concerns. Cyclones are becoming more frequent and pollution is increasing rapidly. Mangroves, which are common here, were drastically reducing in number,” says the concerned fisherman. READ MORE
 
Group launches project to plant mangroves in Mon
Myanmar-replant
MYANMAR - An international conservation group has started a pilot project planting mangroves along the Gulf of Martaban coast in Mon State. The Worldview International Foundation said it will plant about 12,000 hectares of mangroves along the coast in Thaton and Bilin townships. The group has already planted 100 hectares. “We will plant mangroves on the mud flats where the floods have left a thick deposit of sediment,” said U Win Maung, project manager of the foundation. Official data showed that between 1980 and 2015, mangroves covered 76 percent of Rakhine State’s coast, 29pc of Ayeyarwady Region’s coast, and 98pc of Tanintharyi Region’s coast. But the country’s mangrove forests are fast disappearing due to human activity and the effects of climate change. The northern Gulf of Martaban is a Ramsar Site, which designates it to be of international importance and a conservation area under the 1971 UNESCO Ramsar Convention. U Win Maung said that developing mangrove forests on the gulf will benefit people as it will protect coastal communities from storm surges and mitigate global warming as a carbon sink. It will also help in the government’s poverty reduction efforts by providing local people with livelihoods. READ MORE
 
5,619 mangrove trees will need to be cut for Gorai-Borivli bridge
Gorai-Beach-Sea-Shore
INDIA - The state’s coastal authority has said that the most optimal alignment of the proposed bridge between Gorai island and Borivli will require 5,619 mangrove trees across 2.8 hectares (ha) to be cut. A local activist group has alleged more trees will be affected although one of the conditions imposed on project proponents Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planting five times the number of mangroves lost. A 500-metre bridge from Borivli to Gorai village has been proposed to improve connectivity and reduce travel time from one hour and 10 minutes by road to 35 minutes. The ₹575-crore project was sanctioned on August 23. “There is no direct road connecting Gorai village and Borivli. This bridge will be an important link not only for local residents, but larger public interest, and enhance tourism,” a member of the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) told HT. READ MORE
 
EUROPE
 
London solidarity action to Save the Sundarbans blocked Banlgadesh high commission
London-protest
U.K. - Amidst heavy policing and non-stop rain passionate climate and mangrove rights activists have blocked the main entrance of the Bangladesh High Commission in London today for three hours. A powerful and noisy solidarity action by London based transnational campaigners condemn the Bangladesh government’s decision to implement the 1,320 MW Rampal coal power plant as it would destroy the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. Protesters echo calls in their memorandum signed by members of 30 participating organisations demanding the Bangladesh government must put immediate halt to the Rampal project and take responsibility to save the Sundarbans. A representative of five non-violent Bangladeshi protesters wanted to hand in the memorandum to the High Commissioner, Ms Saida Muna Tasneem, asking her to convey their five-point demand to the government, but she refused to make herself available to activists. Bangladeshi citizens were turned away, and denied access to the building and harassed by privately hired security guards and police which the activists called appalling. READ MORE
 
LAST WORD
 
Hello Alfredo Quarto, my name is Orobuibi Ben Orutemeka. I live and work in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.
I am sending some photographs to portray the effect of oil pollution on the Blue Carbon ecosystem of the Niger Delta, and how it has impacted on the livelihoods of families and communities.
Prompt action is needed to save the mangrove. The flare you experienced, first hand, over ten years ago is still on going. In adding, illegal or artisanel refiners have virtually occupied the adjoining creeks and estuaries as their operational "dumps". The activity of "kpo fire" (as it is locally called) and the aerial bombardment of oil dumps and receptacles, including petroleum bearing tankers by gunship belonging to Joint Task Force, JTF oftentimes cause air and water pollution. The mangrove is the worse hit. There is dwindling fishing activity in coastal communities. There is the need to support the indigenous peoples efforts to restore the mangrove forest of the Niger Delta so as to sustain their only means of livelihood. International organisations such as Mangrove Action Projects, MAP should partner with local communities to sensitize mangrove communities, multinational oil corporations and governments at the Local, State and Federal levels on the need to act fast. MAP will be adding value to Ogu/Bolo Mangrove Reforestation Project through provision of technical support, outreach programs and empowerment.

Orobuibi Ben Orutemeka

NigerianOil  NigerianOilSpill  NigerianOilContamination

 

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ACTION ALERTS

PETITION - NO new coal power – protect local people and wildlife!
SIGN OUR PETITION

PETITION - Help stop the advance of oil palm plantations in Gabon!
SIGN THE PETITION

PETITION - Don't trash coral reefs for the cruise industry! - TAKE ACTION

PETITION - Sea turtles or condominiums?
Sand mining and construction work would wipe out a marine biodiversity hotspot and destroy the livelihoods of local people, who have not been consulted. Please SIGN!

PETITION - Save Penang! Reject the 3-Islands Reclamation! 
The lack of public consultation and detailed information about the project is shocking in view of the size of proposed reclamation which is 4,500 acres or 7 square miles
PLEASE SIGN

PETITION - Save Pulau Kukup National Park - second largest mangrove island in the world. Sign The Petition

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69 million tons of carbon stored thanks to mangrove restoration, as demonstrated by the new Mangrove Restoration Map VIEW MAP HERE

Restoring natural forests
Restoring The Natural Mangrove Forest
Watch movie

Tanzania CBEMR
Community Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration in Rufiji Delta 
VIEW VIDEO

Video: Mangroves for the Future - A look bacK. As the latest phase of Mangroves for the Future (MFF) draws to a close, this video highlights some of the project’s most successful initiatives – from local women supporting national park management in Viet Nam to an island in the Maldives that has become a model for waste management, and everything in between. View Here

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MANGROVE ISSUES 

Want to learn more about mangroves?mangrove-action-project-presentation-1-1024.jpg?cb=1424228039
Our short presentation will give you a better understanding of the issues we are working to solve. WATCH PRESENTATION

What is CBEMR? Easy to follow fact sheet – CLICK HERE

What is EPIC? - The Ecosystems Protecting Infrastructure and Communities (EPIC) project:  the role of ecosystems as protective barriers against climate induced hazards

MANGROVES APP AVAILABLE
A pictorial field guide for easy identification of various mangrove species and learning about the mangroves ecosystem. CLICK HERE

View MAP’s uploaded Videos at MAPmangrover’sChannel
Question Your Shrimp Consumer/Markets Campaign!  
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Mangrove Restoration in Asia – Watch Short Video

The Value of Mangrove Forests View Video

CBEMR Experience Exchange MAP 2017 English Subtitles
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Mangroves: Guidebook to MalaysiaClick Here
 
Mangrove rehabilitation in Asia – Local Action and cross-border Transfer of Knowledge for the Conservation of Climate, Forests and Biodiversity VIEW VIDEOS HERE

SHARE MAP'S VISION 
CLICK HERE to watch short introductory video. Together we can work "at the roots of the sea".

Our short documentary, Reducing the Risk of Disaster through Nature-Based Solutions : Mangroves
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Marvellous Mangroves Curriculum

The Marvellous Mangroves Education Forum is an online hub for those utilizing the Marvellous Mangroves (MM) Curriculum. It gives students, teachers and anyone interested in mangroves, the opportunity to learn and share ideas themed around the curriculum, to connect and communicate with others around the globe whilst exploring mangroves from your computer or on the go. VISIT

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The award-winning Marvellous Mangroves (MM) curriculum educates children on the importance of mangroves and their ecological functions, teaching them about modern challenges and mechanisms for sustainability. VIEW VIDEO

Marvellous Mangroves Curriculum in Bangladesh - WATCH VIDEO
MARVELLOUS MANGROVES IN BRAZIL
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Marvellous Mangroves – A Curriculum-Based Teachers Guide.


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Education in the Mangroves - China
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Check out our presentation for more details on Marvellous Mangroves

Read this 10 page history of the development of MAP’s educational curriculum VIEW DOCUMENT
 
Article in Canada's Green Teacher Magazine - Read More


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Learn more about the affects of the shrimp industry on mangroves by visiting our blog
Editor’s Note: Mangrove Action Project’s Executive Director, Alfredo Quarto was interviewed about shrimp by Green Acre Radio’s Martha Baskin
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Mangrove Action Project

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

MAP News Issue 479 - Oct 12, 2019

Mangrove Action Project
The MAP News
479th Edition                                                     Oct 12, 2019

FEATURE

Report on ASC Violations of its Own Shrimp Standards
ASC-Violations
GLOBAL - Giant shrimp, or Scampi, as they are called in Sweden, were first seen in Swedish stores in the early 1990s. The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's (SSNC) partners in Asia and Latin America brought our attention to devastation caused by export-oriented tropical shrimp farming — people lose their means of sustenance in the devastated mangrove forests; they lose the protection of mangroves against storms and tsunami; local fish stocks and biodiversity is depleted; jobs are lost; the local economy becomes one-dimensional, dependent upon shrimp production for export. Numerous academic studies and news reports over the previous thirty years show that in addition to and as a consequence of environmental and economic losses, the industry precipitates conflicts between local populations and shrimp farmers. READ MORE

GLOBAL

Trees. A solution to the climate crisis
Treesd-For-Future
Environmental activists Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot have helped produce a short film highlighting the need to protect, restore and use nature to tackle the climate crisis. Living ecosystems like forests, mangroves, swamps and seabeds can pull enormous quantities of carbon from the air and store them safely, but natural climate solutions currently receive only 2% of the funding spent on cutting emissions. The film’s director, Tom Mustill of Gripping Films, said: 'We tried to make the film have the tiniest environmental impact possible. We took trains to Sweden to interview Greta, charged our hybrid car at George’s house, used green energy to power the edit and recycled archive footage rather than shooting new.' View Video

Testing Shrimp for Superbugs
ShrimpSuperBugs
GLOBAL – How safe are supermarket shrimp? We test imported shrimp bought from supermarket chains across the country. While it's expected we'll find bacteria on raw shrimp, how many of those common bugs are resistant to antibiotics? Experts claim antibiotic resistance poses the biggest threat to modern medicine in the 21st century, so is the government doing enough to stop these superbugs from ending up in our kitchens? Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of microorganisms to render human and veterinary medicines ineffective over time, is becoming one of the world’s biggest public health challenges. This has prompted a call to action for stewardship of antibiotic use in human health care and animal agriculture to reduce unnecessary use and extend the lifespan of these drugs. The Global Aquaculture Alliance fully supports these efforts through a range of programs. VIEW VIDEO

AFRICA

Mangrove ecosystems will be reinforced in seven West African countries
Togo Mangroves
TOGO - Seven West African countries (Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Benin, and Togo) will benefit from a XOF6 billion project to reinforce mangrove ecosystems. According to Agence de Presse Sénégalaise which disclosed the information, the regional project was launched at the end of last week by the EU representation in Senegal. This is a 4-year project that will be executed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Wetlands International, an NGO that restores humid zones. These two actors will support civil society organizations engaged in the preservation of mangroves (especially in relation to the green economy and participative governance) in the seven above-mentioned countries. The European Union is fully committed to fostering the fight against climate change on all fronts, said Irène Mingasson, EU ambassador in Senegal. The new project was launched during the European week of climate diplomacy. In Togo, the event was marked by the provision of a XOF20 million financing to Africa Global Recycling for its "Moi jeu tri project". VIEW SOURCE

AMERICAS

Mystery oil spills impacting mangroves & coral on over 130 Brazilian beaches
Brazil Oil Spills
BRAZIL - The source of large blots of oil staining more than 130 beaches in northeastern Brazil remained a mystery Tuesday despite President Jair Bolsonaro’s assertions they came from outside the country and were possibly the work of criminals. Tamar, a group dedicated to the protection of sea turtles, said the oil spills were “the worst environmental tragedy” it has encountered since its formation in 1980. The patches of oil began appearing in early September and have now turned up along a 2,000 kilometer (1,200 mile) stretch of Atlantic coastline. “We are not in the presence of a constant leak. If it is the result of a shipwrecked oil tanker, the leaks will continue for the moment,” Bolsonaro told a news conference in Brasilia. “It appears to be criminal. This oil could have been dumped at sea.” The patches of oil have been detected in all nine states of northeastern Brazil, a poor region known for the beauty of its beaches and whose economy depends on tourism. “The coastal ecosystem of northeastern Brazil is very fragile, with mangroves, rocky coves and coral reefs,” Maria Christina Araujo, an oceanographer at Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, told AFP.READ MORE

Florida mangroves reveal complex relationship between climate and natural systems
Mangroves+comparison
U.S.A. - In the 1980s, a series of freezes caused the most recent major die-off of Floridian mangroves (and citrus crops, which also fare poorly in cold weather). Since then, previous research showed, mangroves have flourished and expanded further from the tropics. As global temperatures continue rising, noting where mangroves and similar trees and vegetation flourish can serve as a marker to monitor the effects of climate change. A new study led by UCLA’s Kyle Cavanaugh of how Florida’s mangroves and salt marshes are affected by changes in climate, both man-made and natural, illustrates the complex interplay between our changing climate and living natural systems. The paper, which was published in PNAS, found that decades-long, natural climate cycles have determined the northern extent of Florida mangroves for at least the past 250 years. Freeze events that took place approximately every 10 to 30 years caused die-offs, during which mangroves were replaced by salt marshes until warmer trends spurred regrowth. “We didn’t find evidence that climate change has altered this system to date,” said Cavanaugh, who is an assistant professor of geography and member of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. “But then we used climate model projections to look to the year 2100, and those suggest future warming will increase mangrove suitability.” READ MORE

An Environmental Artist Wants You To Plant Mangroves In Your Backyard. Here's Why.
Mangrove art
U.S.A. - South Florida artist Xavier Cortada is very concerned about sea-level rise and needs your help. For more than 15 years, Cortada has been painting colorful murals of mangroves all over Miami-Dade County to raise awareness about the threat of climate change to South Florida. There's the Miami Mangrove Forest located in downtown Miami on the Interstate-95 underpass and the Reclamation Project located on store fronts of Lincoln Road on Miami Beach. In his newest project, “Plan(T)” Cortada is once again mixing his artistic talent and the science of mangroves by providing free, saltwater-tolerant mangrove seedlings to residents across the county to plant in their backyards. He thinks these mangroves are the first step to protecting the environment from saltwater intrusion. Cortada sat down with Sundial host Luis Hernandez to talk about how he is teaching about the changes in the environment to other South Florida residents and motivating them to get involved in sustainability efforts. Here are some highlights: READ MORE

ASIA

Global Cimate Strike sparks action across Maldives
Maldives
MALDIVES - Several climate protests were staged across Maldives recently as part of the Global Climate Strike. Citizens from the southernmost atoll of Addu commenced their protest at 0745 hrs with the participation of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Addu and Addu Nature Park. Before the event concluded at 1000 hrs, Addu's Deputy Mayor Mohamed Yasrif and Councillor Jamsheedha Mohamed briefly visited the strike along with some council staff. In Kulhudhufushi, Haa Dhaal Atoll, a strike began at 1000 hrs in front of the premises of the island council. The protestors called for immediate implementation of measures to protect the island's mangrove. Over 16 hectares of the prized wetland were reclaimed for a controversial airport development project. Following the strike, protesters held discussions with the Kulhudhuffushi Council concerning their demands.READ MORE

In the rice-rich Mekong region, will husk briquettes take hold?
Rice Husk Briquettes
MYANMAR - A study released in May 2019 found that energy potential from “major” biomass sources in Myanmar, including fuelwood, reached just over 17 million tons of oil equivalent in 2017. The authors also found that the biomass potential for the country could be as much as 50 percent more than projected energy outputs between 2015 and this year. While the potential for growth exists in Myanmar, the report found that the country needs to “develop more innovative solutions to the constraints and opportunities of biomass energy of the country,” as well as engaging the public and private sectors, investing more in research, and involving local leaders more. Co-author Maw Maw Tun, a researcher from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Myanmar’s Government Technical Institute, told Mongabay that fuelwood biomass is still the popular choice for most people. “People will still need to be incentivized toward non-forest related biomass, because biomass market for non-forest related biomass is only at an emerging stage in Myanmar,” he said. “And biomass project developers could not afford their own investment without subsidies and incentives from the government due to costly and less profitable kind of investments compared to others.” READ MORE

Sulaman’s mangroves
Sulaman Mangroves
INDONESIA - The Technical Planning and Implementation Committee (JTPP) has organised Mangrove Tree Planting Programme on the national shoreline at Sulaman Wetland Sanctuary. The conservation programme aims to introduce the importance of the mangrove trees as a protection against the waves and prevents sand erosion to the local community. It involves the planting of 1300 seeds from five mangrove species, the highest record for one planting session in 2019 for the Sustainable Forest Management License (SFMLA) Borneo Sulaman Cove license area. Among the participants were Chief Forest Conservator, Director General of the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, State Directors, government agencies, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and 23 primary school students for purpose of environmental education and care. Tasik Sulaman Mangrove Forest was gazetted as a Class V mangrove forest, managed by the Sabah Forestry Department. In 2007, part of the management of the Forest Reserve was granted to Borneo Sulaman Cove Sdn.Bhd as a Forest Management Unit (FMU) for 50 years, under the SFMLA 02/2007. The Forest Reserve is located in the Tuaran, covering 488 hectares comprising mangrove forests, Coastal Forest and large degraded areas that have been grown by non-native plants. Activities in the forest are limited to conservation, education and eco-tourism and known as Wetland Sanctuary (SWS). READ MORE

Commonwealth action group on mangroves meets in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA - Commonwealth countries are meeting this week in Negombo, Sri Lanka to decide on a work plan to help save the world’s mangroves. The plan includes joint actions, projects and funding strategies for the short and medium term. The activity is part of the work carried out under the Commonwealth Blue Charter – an agreement by all 53 Commonwealth countries to actively co-operate to solve ocean-related challenges and meet global commitments on sustainable ocean development. The Blue Charter works through voluntary action groups led by ‘champion countries’, who rally around issues such as marine pollution and the sustainable blue economy. Home to over 19,000 hectares of mangroves, Sri Lanka champions the Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods Action Group (MELAG). To date, nine other Commonwealth countries have joined MELAG, including Australia, Bangladesh, Vanuatu, Bahamas, Nigeria, Jamaica, Kenya, United Kingdom, and Trinidad and Tobago. READ MORE

OCEANA

Die-off of mangroves continues in Gulf of Carpentaria
Gulf of Carpenteria
AUSTRALIA - A cascade of impacts including rising sea levels, heatwaves and back-to-back tropical cyclones has created 400km of dead and badly damaged mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria, a scientific monitoring trip has discovered. Prof Norman Duke, of James Cook University, spent 10 days monitoring 2,000km of coastline from a helicopter, as well as conducting land-based checks at 32 estuaries along the coastline between Weipa, Queensland, and Cape Barrow in the Northern Territory. In 2015, the remote area suffered what is thought to be the worst mass dieback of mangroves ever recorded. The cause, Duke said, was a combination of extreme heat, a temporary drop in sea level at the time caused by atmospheric pressure, and drought. Duke and colleagues returned for a second follow-up monitoring trip to find devastating impacts of two cyclones had created a 400km stretch of dead and damaged mangroves. Initial reports estimated the area damaged in 2015 to be about 1,000km in length, but Duke says subsequent visits put that number at more like 2,000km. About 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of mangroves had been affected. READ MORE

Mangrove migration mapped by 'historical detective work'
Australian Mangroves
AUSTRALIA - A group of scientists have used historical detective work to piece together how mangroves have migrated towards the Earth’s poles due to steadily increasing temperatures over the past two-and-a-half centuries. The US-based research team focused on mangroves around the coastline of the state of Florida, trying to see whether climate change had impacted on mangrove habitats. Dr Matthew Hayes from Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute was part of the team, and said the researchers found there had been a steady poleward migration of mangroves in line with shifts in the climate. “The mangroves are able to move polewards because of the lack of extreme cold events,” Dr Hayes said. To get the data they needed the scientists had to rely on a range of contemporary sources, including personal journals, logbooks, photos and maps from the times in question. “Over the last few hundred years there wasn’t a lot of scientists going through this part of the world looking at mangroves specifically, but what there was was a lot of naturalists, a lot of people in ships keeping logs, and other people travelling and keeping notes of what they saw,” Dr Hayes said. 

 

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MAP News Issue 593, March 9, 2024

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