Mangroves Initiative - Site Assessment

Site Analysis
Two field visits to Ouidah (Benin, Africa) in January and July 2018 enabled the technical and scientific training of the NGO CORDE staff who will carry out the restoration work.

In July 2018, the second visit also allowed for the collection and preparation of samples for biomass and carbon determination, as well as the installation of Thalimedes measuring devices in the areas of interest. The first analyses were conducted. The installation of interstitial water collectors in the areas of interest made it possible to measure various parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, redox potential, and nutrients). The results obtained highlight the importance of temperature in the characterization of interstitial water. Compared with the reference forest, these results are essential for establishing hydrological rehabilitation strategies. Similarly, the physicochemical parameters of the sediments were studied.

Knowledge of activities in the mangrove: A survey of salt production activities carried out by women, who produce salt by extracting mangrove sediments near the municipality of Ouidah, was conducted to assess the extent of the impact of these activities on the mangroves.

The first phases of the restoration work involve site assessment: 
• Selection of restoration areas and a reference area to calibrate data
• Analysis of the environmental conditions of the restoration and reference areas
• Monitoring the physicochemical conditions of interstitial water
• Analysis of the physicochemical parameters of the sediment
• Analysis of forest structure and physiognomic types of reference forests
• Primary productivity (leaf litter production and phenological behaviour)
• Biomass and carbon in reference forests (quantification of carbon accumulated in the soil)
• Methane concentration in a forest dominated by Rhizophora mangle and in the restoration area.