Tonga Country Report - SPREP

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Mangrove Monitoring A scientific monitoring system is required, that will enable ongoing assessment of the environmental health of the mangroves of Tongatapu. This will allow sustainable use of mangroves to be quantitatively monitored and evaluated, and environmental changes caused by external influences such as sea level rise to be distinguished (Ellison, 1998). Such a system is planned regionally under the SPREP Mangrove Action Plan (Idechong, et al., 19-95). Mangrove monitoring includes: � area mapping and survey of community structure, zonation and condition of mangroves (this has already been carried 6.11t). � establishment of permanent plots for measurement of growth rates of trees, also mortality rates. � monitoring of seedling growth rates � monitoring of sedimentation rates, accretion or erosion. � monthly mangrove litter analysis, for measurement of productivity and phenology of the mangrove trees. Monitoring of mangrove ecosystem health will allow a mechanism by which sustainable use of the mangrove zoned for use can be evaluated. Mangrove swamps, particularly those of low islands, are likely to be sensitive to rise in sea-level. The Kingdom of Tonga National Environment Management Strategy identifies in Programme 4.4.1 a need for surveying and monitoring of climate-sensitive ecosystems (Thistlethwaite, Sheppard and Prescott, 1993). The mangrove-monitoring program proposed to be carried out as part of this project will address this need. The SPREP Regional Wetland Action Plan in Action 3.3.5 (1dechong et al., 1995) also identifies a need for regional monitoring of mangrove response to sea-level rise predictions. Environmental Impact Procedures Environmental impact procedures should be used to assess the potential impacts of proposed development projects on mangrove areas, and establish bonds or environmental levies to be applied to development projects to enable monitoring of impacts to be carried out. This was a mangrove management recommendation of Prescott (1989: 95). No cutting of mangroves on the seaward edge of the mangrove zone should be permitted. This disturbs an important fish-breeding habitat, causes sediment erosion by waves on the edge of the lagoon, and weakens the remainder of the mangrove zone. No Net Loss of Mangroves Recognising the importance of the mangrove resource to Tonga, and its present degraded situation, any loss of mangrove area for any purpose should be compensated for by replanting of an equal area of mangroves at a suitable inter-tidal site at the cost of the developer. This is the present legislation in Queensland, and is a policy of the Pohnpei Mangrove Management Plan (Metz, 1996: D-64). Community Education and Awareness. Public awareness programs should be continued to improve the attitudes of people towards mangroves. This is not a short-term activity, but must continue particularly due
to the youth of Tonga’s population. TV, radio and the printed paper and magazines should be used, as well as education programs and material in schools and colleges. Public goodwill towards mangroves is a requirement for successful rehabilitation and management. Develop appropriate ecotourism ventures There is considerable potential for use of the Folaha/ Nukt.ihetulu mangrove forest as an educational and ecotourism facility. A small visitor reception center could be constructed to house interpretive displays of mangrove ecosystem diversity in Tonga, species, identifications, special adaptations of species, and traditional usage of the forest. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE LAGOON SYSTEM (REFER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE LAGOON SYSTEM)
Page 1 and 2: TONGA COUNTRY REPORT Compiled -by N
Page 3 and 4: Tonga, the lagoon and its wetland a
Page 5 and 6: The functions of the Authority is t
Page 7: Lapaha. Remnants are left along the
Page 12 and 13: Mangrove Zoning Categories Through
Page 14 and 15: 1. Provide sewerage facilities and
Page 16 and 17: Some mangrove replanting practices
Page 18 and 19: The propagule (seed) of Bruguiera i
Page 20 and 21: Preparation of Management Plans Man
Page 27 and 28: References Bacon, P. R., Deane, C.

Tonga Country Report - SPREP

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