1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
Due to "human interference ha[ving] converted mangrove areas to agricultural land, fishing ponds and settlements", the loss of stabilisation provided by the mangroves means that "the coast has become susceptible to flooding and erosion, losing up to 27 meters of land in one year" (Ref. 1). It has caused "displacement of local habitants and loss of livelihoods, [with]...the local population...and its fisheries, farms, and important religious and cultural sites [being] at risk to frequent flooding and land degradation" (Ref. 1). The Building With Nature Mangrove Rehabilitation project therefore sought to assemble Sediment Trapping Units (STUs) at the coast of Weg naar Zee, thereby "reduce[ing] the force of incoming waves and stimulat[ing] the deposition of sediments" (Ref. 2), "with the ultimate goal of stopping land degradation using ecosystem-based adaptation techniques" (Ref. 1).
Quantitative targets
The project began with one STU being built, measuring "measuring 100 meter width, 200 meter in length, 2 meter in height and 0.5 meter in depth" (Ref. 3). Having been perceived as successful (Ref. 3), a further 8 STUs were built to date by 2016, covering a coastline length of approximately 1000m (Ref. 5), and a total 12 STUs received funding to be built (Ref. 1).
Monitoring indicators defined
Amount of sediment captured is considered, "there was enough sediment for new mangroves to help nature restore its original coastal line" (Ref. 3), but no further monitoring indicators have been reported.
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Through the construction of STUs, sediment is being trapped and allowing for the replanting of mangroves (Ref. 1). As summarised by Ref. 5, "technical measures include sediment balance restoration by permeable dams and mud nourishments, alongside mangrove rehabilitation. Socio-economic measures are currently being developed".
Through restoration of previously degraded mangrove habitat (Ref. 1), the project promotes the "provision of ecological functions and services such as shoreline protection against erosion, provision of spawning zones for marine wildlife, nurseries for coastal fisheries and habitat for migratory birds", and also aids climate change mitigation and adaptation since mangroves "capture great amounts of blue carbon and are effective in protecting the low-lying coastal strips from storm surges" (Ref. 2). In addition to reducing erosion of both arable land and sites of religious importance, the project also reduces salinisation of arable land, where "productive activities such as agriculture are already suffering the severe impacts from erosion and flooding events" (Ref. 2).
Through "capacity building and public awareness, the communities of Weg naar Zee and surrounding areas will learn about mangrove restoration and maintenance, and the benefits the human population derive from ecosystem restoration projects. Scientific research will also be conducted with the objectives of improving understanding of the biophysical and socio-economic conditions of the changing coastal landscape and developing research products to inform future nature-based adaptation initiatives" (Ref. 1).
Through restoration of previously degraded mangrove habitat (Ref. 1), the project promotes the "provision of ecological functions and services such as shoreline protection against erosion, provision of spawning zones for marine wildlife, nurseries for coastal fisheries and habitat for migratory birds", and also aids climate change mitigation and adaptation since mangroves "capture great amounts of blue carbon and are effective in protecting the low-lying coastal strips from storm surges" (Ref. 2). In addition to reducing erosion of both arable land and sites of religious importance, the project also reduces salinisation of arable land, where "productive activities such as agriculture are already suffering the severe impacts from erosion and flooding events" (Ref. 2).
Through "capacity building and public awareness, the communities of Weg naar Zee and surrounding areas will learn about mangrove restoration and maintenance, and the benefits the human population derive from ecosystem restoration projects. Scientific research will also be conducted with the objectives of improving understanding of the biophysical and socio-economic conditions of the changing coastal landscape and developing research products to inform future nature-based adaptation initiatives" (Ref. 1).
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
According to Ref. 1, "No mitigation measures had been undertaken to protect the area prior to the start of this Building With Nature project in 2015", hence the implementation of Sediment Trapping Units to allow the replanting of mangroves can be considered a technological innovation.
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The technique used by this project is "similar to the technique used by Wetlands International, Ecoshape and the Indonesian government in partnership with Deltares, Witteveen + Bos, and other partners to stop coastal erosion in Central Java" (Ref. 3).
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Following the construction of the initial STU, a total 12 STUs are now being constructed along the coast of Weg naar Zee (Ref. 1). Ref. 5 summarises how "This flagship project is used to inform and inspire coastal zone managers from government and private sector and help them include the approach in their urban and rural development programmes. A replication and up-scaling of Building with Nature across Suriname and in the Guyana’s could indirectly result in increased resilience of 500.000 inhabitants of Suriname of which 80% live along the coast, who are on the long term at risk from coastal hazards, in both urban and rural areas".
Ref. 2 further indicates that "To date, the results are promising, and the goal is to expand the utilization of STUs to other areas, especially in the Nickerie District in the surroundings of the Bigi Pan Multiple Management Area", hence the innovation will likely be transferred elsewhere, without substantial adaptation.
Ref. 2 further indicates that "To date, the results are promising, and the goal is to expand the utilization of STUs to other areas, especially in the Nickerie District in the surroundings of the Bigi Pan Multiple Management Area", hence the innovation will likely be transferred elsewhere, without substantial adaptation.
