Photo: Dr. Gregg Moore, UNH
In 2017, the British Virgin Islands were hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria - both category 5 - within weeks of each other. Outside of the initial impacts of the disaster and damage to human well-being and infrastructure, the ensuing ecosystem degradation continues to impact the islands. With substantial impacts on ecosystem services including damages to key coastal ecosystems (i.e. corals, mangroves, beaches and seagrass beds) and other environmental infrastructure assets, losses were estimated at GBP 3.1 million. Preliminary estimates indicated that over 90% of red mangroves were lost. The sheer amount of degradation created a compounding problem for natural regeneration, as the mangrove seed banks were largely wiped out. Today, even as natural regeneration begins to move forward in certain sites, other sites are not able to regenerate naturally due to challenges including lack of viable propagules, remaining hurricane debris impeding growth and seedling recruitment, and increased herbivore pressure, among other factors. Simultaneously, economic pressures drive coastal development in hard-hit areas, further fragmenting and threatening mangrove recovery as these systems face increased frequency and strength of future storms in a changing climate.
The climate crisis is not only leading to increased incidence of natural disasters but also exacerbating their impacts, and low-lying islands like the BVI are particularly vulnerable to these effects. However, the restoration and sustainable management of natural ecosystems (also known as ecosystem-based adaptation) can increase resilience to climate change at both local community and national scales. In order to achieve this, a socioecological approach is required to restore natural ecosystems while taking human needs and societal priorities into account. This socioecological approach must be underpinned by robust scientific knowledge, much of which is available in the BVI but can be synthesized and compiled into a usable framework for restoration and management.
The PROM Project works to synthesize a range of dstudies and data into a territory-wide mangrove risk assessment using the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) methodology. Simultaneously, in coordination and consultation with the BVI Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society, the National Parks Trust of the BVI, as well as other local stakeholders, on-ground mangrove restoration will be conducted at selected pilot sites in the Territory. These activities will support the development, in close collaboration with the BVI goverment, of an evidence-based territory-wide mangrove restoration and management plan as an ecosystem-based approach to both disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.
