1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Fort-de-France (FUA)
Region
Latin America and the Caribbean
Native title of the NBS intervention
Forêt Montgérald
Short description of the intervention
The riparian forest of Montgérald, through which the “Monsieur” River flows, is located within Fort-de-France and boasts rich biodiversity, featuring around 100 species of shrubs and trees and about 30 animal species, including 16 types of birds. It is one of the last remnants of the mesophilic forest type and the only example in a French peri-urban setting. This unique ecosystem is recognized as a Natural Area of Ecological, Faunal, and Floral Interest (ZNIEFF) and a Classified Wooded Area (EBC), underscoring the need for conservation efforts.
Covering nearly 21 hectares, this site offers ecological benefits like air quality improvement and temperature regulation, providing a "fresh air island" near the city center. However, it faces significant challenges, including flooding caused by climate change and heavy rains, which exacerbate erosion along the Monsieur River. The area is also threatened by invasive alien species, making conservation measures even more crucial.
Since 2015, the municipality of Fort-de-France, along with project partners, has been working on developing this natural space for both conservation and public engagement purposes. The most recent actions occurred in 2020, including riverbank restoration, clearing invasive species, and creating walking paths and educational installations. Additionally, the project features an awareness campaign targeting local schools. The ongoing initiative aims to merge biodiversity conservation with community recreational use and environmental education, ensuring the resilience of this vital ecosystem against the impacts of climate change. (Refs. 1, 2, 3)
Website of the intervention
https://grandebaiemartinique.com/action/amenagement-et-valorisation-de-la-foret…
Principal problems
Climate-Related Hazards
Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Invasive alien species
Deforestation and forest degradation
Implementation area characterization
Climate
Tropical (Tropican rainforest, tropical monsoon, tropical savanna)
Ecosystem
Tropical rainforest
Rivers/streams
Urban or built environment
Address

97200 Fort-de-France
Martinique

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary (map-based)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
DEAL de la Martinique, 2011, "ZONE 0026 MONTGÉRALD", retrieved from (last accessed 17.09.2024): https://www.martinique.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/FICHE26_cle2cea1c.pdf
Total area
184200.00m²
NBS area
184200.00m²
Area description
Periurban (both urban and rural environments are present)
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Natural Heritage Area/Untouched nature
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2015
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2020
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
Recreation and well-being: offering a space for relaxation where people can experience the well-being that forests can provide and re-discover nature.
In-situ conservation: protecting the unique natural heritage and enhancing the floral and faunal richness of the forest (Ref 1; 3).
Maintaining the ecosystem services delivered by the forest to the urban environment, with an emphasis on air quality, temperature regulation, flood regulation (Ref 1; 3, 10).
Riverbank restoration: rehabilitating the "Monsieur" riverbank, combating erosion (caused by heavy rains and presence of invasive species) and enhancing aquatic biodiversity (Ref 3).
Raising awareness of forest ecology and educating on the history, heritage and biodiversity of the forest by providing it with suitable facilities (e.g. walking paths, benches, information boards, awareness program) (Ref 2; 3).
Key Priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Water management (SDG 6)
Flood protection
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Environmental education
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implement measures that prevent/manage desertification, soil erosion and landslides
Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
Restore rivers and other fresh water bodies to reduce flood or drought risk
Restore and protect forests to prevent water runoff and assets loss due to flooding
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Promote environmentally-sound development in and around protected areas
Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
Control and clean invasive alien species
Means for conservation governance
Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
Raise public awareness
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore valued species
Clear and control invasive alien species
Public engagement
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
Protection and enhancement of forest and aquatic biodiversity:
In 2023, the project management and environmental studies were launched. A program of work to support the dynamics allowing the regeneration of some of the most remarkable species was put in place. No logging was carried out, and flora was allowed to evolve naturally to preserve the wild character of the site.
Management of invasive exotic species: Actions to combat invasive species were planned to limit the impact of species already established (Bambusa vulgaris, etc.).
Specific measures were taken to combat the erosion of the Monsieur River and enhance the aquatic biodiversity at ‘Ravine Benoit’ and the “concrete” canal. Riverbank restoration was expected to start in 2024.

Enhancement of the wooded area to welcome the public:
Walking infrastructure for a trail of 2,100 m in total was developed, along with communication materials for the general public. The Monsieur River, an essential element of the trail, provided a support for discovering riparian biodiversity and ecological engineering techniques (e.g., restoration of banks and combating erosion). An awareness program was developed for schools in the area. In 2023, the first trails were developed, a main reception area was created, and the awareness campaign was set up. In 2024, footbridges were planned for installation, two other reception areas were to be built, and the campaign was to continue. (Ref 3; 9)
Type of NBS project
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
River rehabilitation/ restoration
Protection of riparian vegetation
Restoration of riparian vegetation
Protection of natural ecosystems
Habitat conservation
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Educational and awareness raising programs
Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Amenities offered by the NBS
Benches and drinking water stations
Educational or biodiversity trails
Design elements for well-being
Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
The implementation area is in the neighborhood of Montgérald, between the neighbourhoods of Coridon and Châteauboeuf which are not "priority neighborhoods" in the city's development policy i.e. they do not concentrate "social, urban and economic difficulties" below the average of Fort-de-France and metropolitan France (Ref 4). Châteauboeuf is described as a neighbourhood where people "mostly have moderate incomes, live mostly as single people, and mainly rent their accommodation (Ref 5). Coridon is described as a neighbourhood where people "mostly have comfortable incomes, live mostly as single people, and are mainly tenants of their accommodation" (Ref 6). Nevertheless, in a news report on the murder by fire-arm of a 19 year old boy in the Montgérald neighbourhood, residents of the Montgérald neighbourhood "are fed up with the violence that has been taking hold in the area for many years". They describe "a difficult daily life, tense evenings punctuated by gunfire or even the destruction of buildings targeted and riddled with bullets in full view of everyone". It is described as a location which needs more police presence and more public funding for associations which adress social exclusion (Ref 7).
Socio-economic profile of the area
Mixed income
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Urban heat islands
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Young people and children
Specify primary beneficiaries
-Ref 3 identifies the general "population".
-The awareness raising campaign targets schools and schoolchildren (Ref 3).
Marginalized groups
Children, young people or youth groups
Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups
- The intervention includes a budget for an awareness raising campaign in schools (Ref 3). This exhibits the desire to reach out to children, young people or youth groups.
Other beneficiaries
Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)
Native plant vegetation
Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)
Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)
Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Government-led
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The project is led and implemented by the municipality and it is supported by a steering committee composed of the intermunicipal development "CACEM", The Martinican Botanical Conservatory (research and conservation), the regional government administration "CTM", two public sector representations of the national government (National Forest Office, the Water Office (ODE)), and other unspecified "associations" (Ref 3). In December 2022,the municipality signed a 25 year-long loan from the French Agency for Development (AFD) of the national government (Ref 2). The project is also financially supported by CTM, The European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), ODE and CACEM. The initiative forms part of the "Contrat de la Grande Baie", an environmental agreement between local, regional and national authorities, aimed at preserving and restoring the great bay of Fort-de-France (Ref 3; 8). It is still worth noting that the awareness raising program will involve schools (Ref 3)
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
National government
Regional government
Public sector institution
Researchers/university
EU body
Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Taskforce groups
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Public Services
Schools
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy
Yes
Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"
Martinique Flood Risk Management Plan (PGRI) (10)
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Environmental regulation
Enablers & Barriers
Type of enablers
City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city
Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.
-The intervention is part of the "Contrat de la Grande Baie", an environmental agreement aimed at preserving and restoring the bay of Fort-de-France. It involves the collaboration of local, regional and state authorities with representatives of professional and user organizations, associations and and qualified experts, to manage water quality, protect biodiversity, and reduce pollution in the bay's ecosystem (Ref 8).
-The OBF loan.
-The financing from CACEM, ODE, FEDER and CTM.
Governace and decison-making instruments
Joint regional planning between municipalities (e.g. inter-municipal exchange platforms, regional plans for environmental management)
Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES))
Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs)
Arrangements for governance cooperation
Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups)
Barriers
-None reported.
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Ref 3 claims that the cost of the operation is 922 560 euros, CTM will contribute 184512€, FEDER 505017€, ODE 150000 € and CACEM 36902 €. The value of the OBF loan is unclear.
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
922 560 euro
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Public national budget
Public regional budget
EU funds
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Loan
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-governance arrangement
Other
Please specify other co-financing type
-The municipality
Entrepreneurship opportunities
Unknown
Business models
Business models
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Storm / wave induced erosion and flooding
Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding
Lowered local temperature
Expected lowered local temperature
Water management and blue areas
Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Expected enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increased presence and recovery of wild species
Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species
Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Expected improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Description of environmental benefits
-Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding: "The Monsieur River, an essential element of the trail, will provide a platform for discovering river biodiversity and ecological engineering techniques (bank restoration and erosion control)."
-Expected lowered local temperature: "The only communal forest in Martinique, the Montgérald forest, with an area of ​​18.42 ha listed as ZNIEFF and EBC, is a veritable green lung nestled in the urban landscape of Fort-de-France" (Ref. 3)
-Expected enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems:
"[in 2024] aquatic environments will be enhanced, in particular the Monsieur River, the Benoit Ravine and the 'concrete canal'" (Ref 9).
-Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems:
"Protection and enhancement of forest and aquatic biodiversity" (Ref 3).
-Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species:
"no logging will be carried out, the population will evolve naturally in order to preserve the wild character of the site" (Ref 3).
-Expected improved prevention or control of invasive alien species:
"Management of invasive exotic species: actions to combat invasive species will be planned in order to limit the impact of species already established (Bambusa vulgaris, etc.)" (Ref 3).
Economic impacts
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of natural heritage
Expected protection of natural heritage
Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful
Expected increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Social and cultural impact indicators
Surface area of accessible green spaces (in ha)
Three accessible green spaces to welcome the public (1 built and 2 expected (Ref 9)).
Total area of recreational green space created or restored (in ha)
walking areas along a trail of 2100 m in total (expected (Ref 3)).
Description of social and cultural benefits
-Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise:
"Trails have been developed" (Ref 9).
-Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise:
"Discovery of forest ecology through walking areas along a trail of 2100 m in total" (Ref 3).
-Expected protection of natural heritage:
"develop this natural space with the aim of preserving it" (Ref 3).
-Expected increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful:
"It will help raise awareness among the general public about the history and biodiversity of the place" (Ref 2).
-Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature:
"An awareness program will be developed for schools in the area" (Ref 3).
-Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits:
"The 'Monsieur' river, an essential element of the trail, will provide a platform for discovering river biodiversity and ecological engineering techniques (bank restoration and erosion control)" (Ref 3).
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts
Local government/municipality
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Type of indicators
Input indicators
Progress indicators
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
Yes
Link to monitoring/evaluation reports
https://grandebaiemartinique.com/mediatheque/rapport-annuels-2021-2026/
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Cost-benefit analysis
Unknown
Transparency
Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets
Online disclosure of technical reports (e.g. project documents, reports, or data)
Justice
Community satisfaction
Unknown
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
-No information available.
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
Unknown
Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices
No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project
Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement
No initiatives or policies were implemented
High-quality & Transformative NBS
Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)
Yes
Goal setting and impacts delivery
Yes, from the planning phase the project aimed to address issues in these three key priority areas and it also delivered benefits across these three areas.
Reaching original project goals
Most of the project goals were achieved
Please specify the achievements of the project goals
Biodiversity Goals:
-Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding: "The Monsieur River, an essential element of the trail, will provide a platform for discovering river biodiversity and ecological engineering techniques (bank restoration and erosion control)."
-Expected lowered local temperature: "The only communal forest in Martinique, the Montgérald forest, with an area of ​​18.42 ha listed as ZNIEFF and EBC, is a veritable green lung nestled in the urban landscape of Fort-de-France" (Ref. 3)
-Expected enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems:
"[in 2024] aquatic environments will be enhanced, in particular the Monsieur River, the Benoit Ravine and the 'concrete canal'" (Ref 9).
-Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems:
"Protection and enhancement of forest and aquatic biodiversity" (Ref 3).
-Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species:
"no logging will be carried out, the population will evolve naturally in order to preserve the wild character of the site" (Ref 3).
-Expected improved prevention or control of invasive alien species:
"Management of invasive exotic species: actions to combat invasive species will be planned in order to limit the impact of species already established (Bambusa vulgaris, etc.)" (Ref 3).
Social justice and community:
-Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise:
"Trails have been developed" (Ref 9).
-Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise:
"Discovery of forest ecology through walking areas along a trail of 2100 m in total" (Ref 3).
-Expected protection of natural heritage:
"develop this natural space with the aim of preserving it" (Ref 3).
-Expected increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful:
"It will help raise awareness among the general public about the history and biodiversity of the place" (Ref 2).
-Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature:
"An awareness program will be developed for schools in the area" (Ref 3).
-Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits:
"The 'Monsieur' river, an essential element of the trail, will provide a platform for discovering river biodiversity and ecological engineering techniques (bank restoration and erosion control)" (Ref 3).
Long-term perspective
Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability.
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
Equitable impacts
A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project
Transformative capacity
Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)
Magnitude of change
Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation
Application of lessons learned
Unknown
Perception of Environmental Change
Unknown
References
1.
DEAL de la Martinique (2011). ZONE 0 0 2 6 MONTGÉRALD. DEAL de la Martinique, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
2.
AFD (n.d.). Promouvoir le développement durable sur le territoire à Fort-de-France. afd.fr, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
3.
Contrat Grande Baie de Martinique (n.d.). Aménagement et valorisation de la forêt de Montgérald. grandebaiemartinique.com, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
4.
Ville de Fort de France (n.d.). Quartiers Prioritaires de la Vill. fortdefrance.fr, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
5.
Cityzia (n.d.). Description du quartier Châteauboeuf-Morne Morissot. cityzia.fr, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
6.
Cityzia (n.d.). Quartier - Coridon-Redoute. cityzia.fr, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
7.
Paller, M. (2023). Après le meurtre de Montgérald (Fort-de-France), des habitants entre colère et incompréhension. rci.fm, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
8.
Contrat de la Grande Baie de Martinique (n.d.). LES MEMBRES DES INSTANCES DU CONTRAT. grandebaiemartinique.com, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
9.
Villard Maurel, A., Conesa, G., and Scaron, C. (2024). CONTRAT DE LA GRANDE BAIE MARTINIQUE RAPPORT 2023. Contrat de la Grande Baie Martinique, Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
10.
Deal Martinique (n.d.). Plan de Gestion des Risques d’Inondation de Martinique (PGRI). Accessed on October 7, 2024, [Download];
Comments and notes
Public Images
Monsieur River
Monsieur River
Retrieved from: https://www.martinique.franceantilles.fr/actualite/politique/le-developpement-durable-une-priorite-pour-lafd-et-la-ville-de-fort-de-france-915944.php
Walking path in Forêt Montgérald
Walking path in Forêt Montgérald
Retrieved from: https://www.martinique.franceantilles.fr/actualite/politique/le-developpement-durable-une-priorite-pour-lafd-et-la-ville-de-fort-de-france-915944.php