Building with Nature at Weg naar Zee, Paramaribo, Suriname A nature based solution for coastal resilience & mangrove restoration Ecological Mangrove Restoration Concept Els van Lavieren (Conservation International Suriname) Prof. Sieuwnath Naipal (Anton de Kom University, Suriname) 1
Suriname & Guiana shield Suriname Located on the Guianas Coast on the north coast of South America Coastal structure is dominated by mud outflow from the Amazon River, with extensive areas of mangrove forest across wide, lowlying floodplains muddy coast Paramaribo is the capital city of Suriname & the only substantial urban section along Suriname s 386 km long coast Guyana SURINAME French Guiana Brazil 2
Location Weg naar Zee (WnZ) Weg naar Zee is the northern part of Paramaribo Agricultural heart of the Paramaribo region Much of the original mangrove forest is removed (anthropogenic disturbance) It has accelerated local erosion Its low-lying land is subject to coastal and runoff flooding Under development pressure The primary livelihood activities in this coastal area are agriculture, fisheries, and apiculture At risk of salinization 3
Erosion at Weg naar Zee 4
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Sediment supply (P. Augustinus) 30-50 km long mudbanks migrating along the coast at a rate of 1-3 km per year (every 30 years) 6
Hard solutions vs soft / green/ nature based solutions 7
Hard/ grey solutions vs muddy coasts Source: Wetlands International Disturbed balance between incoming and outgoing sediment Bigger waves and more soil erosion in front of the hard structure Large/ high waves are needed to deposit sediment breakwaters prevent high waves Expensive (construction and maintenance) Incapable of adapting to climate change They fail to provide the vital economic, environmental and social services that healthy mangrove belts provide 8
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Salt marshes in the Netherlands an inspiration for other countries (with muddy coasts) Marshes / kwelders in Netherlands Building with Nature Indonesia Millions of people living along coast of Demak (Java) A whole village is supported by this project with income from work Indonesian government invested millions in this project 10
Building with Nature concept Developing hydraulic infrastructure: In harmony with the behaviour of the natural system By letting nature do part of the work In close collaboration with stakeholders and local communities With added value for nature, (local) economy and society 11
The main objective of this pilot project was to develop adaptation measures against sea level rise, and hence addressing climate change in a sustainable way. The adaptation measure includes e.g. establishing of a sedimentation trapping unit aiming to demonstrate the mitigation of the coastal erosion through accumulation of mud/sediment and restoring conditions for mangrove rehabilitation. Pilot STU: approximate dimensions of (L x W) 150m x 200m Effective starting date was July 11, 2015 The Pilot Sediment Trapping Unit (STU) 12
Function of the Sediment Trapping Units 13
Wind & wave direction 14
Phase 1 (pilot STU) and 2 15
Construction of Phase 1 + 2 16
Constructing the pilot STU 17
Construction of Phase 2 18
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Monitoring Placement of 9 staff gauges to monitor seabed elevation 20
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Challenges in phase 2 22
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Results 25
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Clear accumulation of mud despite loss of bamboo on seaward dams 29
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Mangrove regeneration (July 2017) 31
MANGROVE REGENERATION, July 2017 32
Conclusion & Next steps 33
Conclusions & next steps Phase 3 Proof of concept still in progress but the first results look promising We have applied for funding for phase 3 34
Acknowledgements The support of the Government of Suriname via the Ministry of Public Works The students of AdeK University, particularly from the Department of Infrastructure Partners Anton de Kom University CI- Suriname SORTS Ecoshape Wetlands International Deltares Biosfera Witteveen & Bos Funders Staatsolie Foundation The Royal Dutch Embassy in Suriname Kosmos Energy 35