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Aruba Port Authority Helps Regrow Forest Canopy

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The Aruba Ports Authority has commenced a mangrove reforestation project on a badly damaged reef island. This area is one of four so-called "Important Bird Areas" that more than 50 years ago were protected by black and red mangroves.  

What happened has not been scientifically documented, but island lore has it that part of the reef was damaged by an especially powerful hurricane in 1955. Other accounts attribute the damage to an innocent beach BBQ that led to a fire that destroyed a majority of the remaining trees. 

A site appraisal has been conducted to develop plans with specific ecological and enhancement objectives for the reforestation of the mangrove on the reef across from the port authority cruise terminal. The appraisal analyzed the critical elements in degraded or damaged ecosystems including shoreline dynamics, anthropogenic factors, ecology, hydrology and geopolitical influences.  

In May, mangrove experts implanted approximately 200 encasings on the smaller reefs across from cruise terminals. Media supporters, port authority volunteers and their children assisted by dropping the red mangrove seedlings with the objective of creating wildlife habitat for many species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The encasings are PVC pipes engineered to protect the seedling and expand as the tree grows. 

The port authority regards the mangrove project as an opportunity to not only restore the reef to its original state, but to shield the quayside of the island’s harbors from swells that cause the deterioration of the wharf on a long-term basis.  

Red mangroves bloom throughout the year on Aruba. Cruise visitors will be able to observe the encasements on three islands along the waterway as they sail in and out of the harbor. The first leaves are expected within three to five years. 
 

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