TITLE:
Mangrove Forest Characterization in Southeast Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Isimemen Osemwegie, Dibi N’da Hyppolite, Christine Stumpp, Barbara Reichert, Jean Biemi
KEYWORDS:
Carbon Pool, Climate Change, Conservation, Degradation, Mangrove Forest Resources
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.6 No.3,
February
19,
2016
ABSTRACT: Mangrove ecosystems are faced with far more existential threats of
erosion than their terrestrial counterparts. Consequences of their degradation
vary from decline in edible aquatic stocks, coastal erosion and aquatic weeds
invasion. Mangrove forest dynamics was assessed from multi-temporal analyses
of remotely sensed satellite images (mosaics of 1989/90 and 2014/15) within
233,900 hectares. Ground-truthing was accompanied by field measurements in
selected forest stands to characterize structure, estimate biomass and carbon
pools. With conservation as overriding goal, a socio-economic survey was
conducted to underpin the factors influencing mangrove forests
over-exploitation and qualitatively assess the sensitivity of the locals to
resources decline. The region recorded fifty percent loss of mangrove area
during the 25-year period. Low leaf area index (1.02 - 2.52 m2·m-2)
confirms canopy openness. Above-ground root biomass (kg per root) ranged
between 110.67 and 382.64. The roots demonstrate capacity to fix up to 176 Mg C
ha-1 with average carbon content of 46 percent. Highest carbon pools
were in the Eloka-To forest stands, in near natural conditions. Despite harsh
environmental conditions, potential for natural regeneration was evidenced by
seedlings density (individuals per m2) up to 76. Pilot survey
revealed high dependence on mangrove resources for direct income (70 percent)
and daily energy needs (60 percent). Despite the heightened awareness of the
impending dangers posed by mangrove deforestation and willingness to conserve,
riverine communities are incapacitated by lack of viable economic alternatives.
External interventions are therefore imperative to achieve conservation goals
with long-term implications for climate change adaptation and mitigation.