Gdh. Hoadehdhoo: State of Mangroves Series
The research for this post was made possible by the collaboration of IDEAS with Mangroves For the Future (MFF) project and UNDP Maldives.
IDEAS Kelaa, in partnership with Hoadehdhoo Island Development Society (HIDS) and Nadella Island Development Society (NIDS), is currently conducting surveys of the mangroves of G.Dh Hoadehdhoo and G.Dh Nadella for an ongoing Mangroves For the Future project. The following outlines our findings in G.Dh Hoadehdhoo which has 3 wetland areas.
Reyre Fenganda, Gonde Kilhiya
Reyre fengandaa is named after the bird Reyru (Garganey, Anas querquedula), which is a species that used to be abundant at this site.
Reyre fengandaa has two dominant mangrove species: Kan’doo (small leafed orange mangrove, Bruguiera cylindrica) and Burevi (Black mangrove, Lumnitzera racemosa). We were also able to spot newly planted Bodavaki (Oriental Mangrove, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) species that seemed to be thriving.
Some of the Kan’doo trees we surveyed are quite old, with the oldest one measured having a tree trunk circumference of 950 mm and the tree height being between 6-7 m. Similarly, we spotted some very old Burevi trees – one with a trunk circumference of 700 mm.
At this site, a 10 x 20 m lake area without trees is present near the shoreline where the water level is 1.4 m deep. A thick layer of clay rests at the bottom, which creates a suitable environment for the significant amount of tilapia (futumas) found here. The clay at the bottom gives the water a murky quality which allows fish like tilapia to hide effectively from predators. Interestingly, Tilapia happens to be an invasive species to the Maldives, introduced as recently as 1964 by a Japanese research vessel that brought it from Sri Lanka as a bait fish. Today tilapia is widespread across the Maldives, especially so in mangrove ecosystems.
On top of the clay layer, we were greeted to the sights of many baby snails and crab holes. We were able to also spot a few crabs, ready to defend themselves and their positions.
During our time there, we rarely spotted any birds. The few that we spotted include huvadhoo raabondhi (Maldivian Pond Heron, Ardeola grayii (phillipsi), dhivehi kanbili (Maldivian water hen, Amaurornis phoenicurus) and hens and chickens. When speaking to locals of Gdh Hoadedhoo, they recounted a time just a few years ago when local birds were abundant in the area.
Today, plastic bottles have accumulated to the central area of the mangroves, and are kept in motion by storm water.
Ratu Meehenna Kilhiyaa
The second site we surveyed is called Ratu Meeha Kilhi, which is a large body of water with Bodavaki (Scarlet Mangrove, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) trees found around the perimeter. Kan’doo trees were also present at this site, similar to the first one.
A special feature of this mangrove site is the fact that it is home to the only newly planted Randoo tree (Yellow Mangrove) on the island. We were pleased to see that it was thriving and growing fast.
At this site, the water is very deep at central area and has a very thick layer of clay. Again, similarly to site one, tilapia was widely abundant as were snails.
Medhe Olhaa
Regarding the final site, there is good news and really bad news. We will start with the really bad news first. According to the locals, the mangroves in this area died a few years back for unknown reasons.
During its prime, Kan’doo trees were abundant there. Kan’doo is known for its quality timber for boat building. As a result, a lot of the large Kan’doo and other mangrove species were cut down by locals removed for timber, and there is no evidence of reforestation efforts. Today, only dead trees and branches remain jutting out of shallow waters of only 100-200 mm depth on average.
To add salt to the wound, this area is slowly becoming a dump site. Additionally, due to its slow water flow and water containment issues due to waste, it is also becoming a mosquito breeding area. The waste dumped here can be found along the shoreline, which is in contrast with the image that the Maldives brand presents.
Now for the good news: this area is not a lost cause! Waste clean up and rerouting, coupled with mangrove reforestation efforts can go a long way. If site one and site two are any indication, these are not hostile habitats, unless we make them so. Planting other types of trees such as mango trees to improve livelihood is not out of the question either. The time is now.
In our conversations with locals, we found that the people in G.Dh. Hoadehdhoo were true protectors of these mangrove sites in the recent past. They remember a time when the islanders would remove a certain amount of mud to maintain a specific water level best suited for growth. They also used to harvest bang for small scale commercial purposes, bringing activity to the area.
G.Dh. Hodehdhoo has a memory and culture of protecting these areas, and we at IDEAS in collaboration with HIDS are working together to instill these beautiful values again. Their knowledge of the mangrove systems and the areas specific to their island is valuable, and we hope to preserve and enhance this knowledge for locals to benefit from and build a connection to their beautiful environment.
One of the ways in which we believe this can be done is through a new approach to how we use and interact with this space. These mangrove areas can be given a new value either for livelihood purposes or as a park for locals to enjoy. This way, these areas will be protected while at the same time providing a benefit for locals – symbiosis at its best.
Our findings in G.Dh. Hoadehdhoo convinced us more than ever of how unique each mangrove ecosystem is. Even within one island, there were differences in the species diversity and density from one site to the other. Stay tuned for unique insights into the mangrove systems of G.Dh. Nadella next!