Thalangama Wetlands
The Thalangama wetlands are part of a network of wetland ecosystems around Colombo city that spread over 20 km2 and provide critical life support to the city. These ecosystems keep people safe from floods, cool the air, filter polluted water, provide food and medicines, and fight climate change (10). These wetlands have become an environmental protection area and a biodiversity hotspot in a rapidly urbanising environment, as they host an array of plants and animals, including the endangered fishing cat and otter (5, 10). In 2007, Thalangama Lake and its surroundings were declared an Environmental Protection Area (EPA) under the National Environmental Act (4, 5). This protected area covers approximately 118 hectares (4) and includes two man-made reservoirs: Thalangama Tank (11 ha) and Averihena Tank (3.2 ha), located just 300 meters apart (5). The area hosts floating and rooted plants, scrublands, and trees that provide habitat to up to 100 species of migratory, resident, and endemic birds throughout the year. In addition, the area supports 30 species of dragonflies, 12 species of reptiles, 10 species of mammals, and 15 species of freshwater fish (1, 4). Since the lakes and their surroundings were declared an EPA, only limited uses are permitted, such as traditional fishing and rice cultivation (4, 5). The lakes are also important for floodwater retention and have high scenic and aesthetic value, attracting many visitors, and scientific and educational activities (5, 13).
However, due to the area's rapid urbanisation, land values have increased significantly, leading to excessive landfilling and the reclamation of paddy lands for housing. This is compounded by the indiscriminate disposal of garbage and construction waste and the spread of invasive species (5). These challenges have also led to the engagement of surrounding communities in managing and maintaining it (11).
However, due to the area's rapid urbanisation, land values have increased significantly, leading to excessive landfilling and the reclamation of paddy lands for housing. This is compounded by the indiscriminate disposal of garbage and construction waste and the spread of invasive species (5). These challenges have also led to the engagement of surrounding communities in managing and maintaining it (11).
Coral conservation project in Martinique
The Acropora Project is a coral restoration initiative launched in 2015 by the Martinican Regional Directorate of Environment, Planning, and Housing, primarily implemented by the nonprofit organization Assomer. It focuses on two critically endangered Caribbean coral species: Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While Acropora palmata thrives on the Atlantic seabed of Martinique, Acropora cervicornis had seemingly vanished from local waters by 2007, despite previously providing crucial habitats for marine life. However, this species was rediscovered in 2013 at Loup Caravelle on the Atlantic side of Martinique.
The initiative began by extracting cuttings from both species at Loup Caravelle and nurturing them at a separate site in Le Diamant. In 2019, these corals were transplanted to three locations on the seabed of Sainte-Luce, demonstrating surprising growth patterns despite the site's low to medium environmental quality.
The project's primary aim was to prevent the permanent disappearance of both coral species through spatial replication techniques, including cutting and transplantation. Particular attention was given to enhancing the genetic variability and range of Acropora cervicornis. The initiative also aimed to raise awareness about current coral conservation challenges.
Additionally, the project included a research component that contributed to a better understanding of environmental conservation and the restoration of Acropora cervicornis populations. Unfortunately, a temperature increase at the end of 2023 resulted in the decimation of all corals at the transplant sites. (Ref. 1 -5)
The initiative began by extracting cuttings from both species at Loup Caravelle and nurturing them at a separate site in Le Diamant. In 2019, these corals were transplanted to three locations on the seabed of Sainte-Luce, demonstrating surprising growth patterns despite the site's low to medium environmental quality.
The project's primary aim was to prevent the permanent disappearance of both coral species through spatial replication techniques, including cutting and transplantation. Particular attention was given to enhancing the genetic variability and range of Acropora cervicornis. The initiative also aimed to raise awareness about current coral conservation challenges.
Additionally, the project included a research component that contributed to a better understanding of environmental conservation and the restoration of Acropora cervicornis populations. Unfortunately, a temperature increase at the end of 2023 resulted in the decimation of all corals at the transplant sites. (Ref. 1 -5)
Nairobi River Basin Programme (NRBP)
Rapid urbanization and a population density of 6,247 people per km² have placed significant stress on Nairobi's natural resources (Ref 1). The 40-km long Nairobi River Basin, originating from the Ondiri Swamp, serves as a vital water source for the city (Ref 1, 2). However, it has suffered severe pollution from untreated sewage, solid waste, industrial contaminants, plastics, and agricultural runoff (Ref 1, 3). This degradation has had a serious impact on the ecosystem, local residents, and biodiversity (Ref 3).
To address these issues, the Nairobi River Basin Programme (NRBP), sponsored by UNEP, was launched in 1999 (Ref 4). Since then, government and non-state actors have worked together on solid waste management, riparian restoration, and wastewater control (Ref 1). The program was implemented in two phases: Phase I (2003–2006) and Phase II (2006–2009), involving stakeholders from the government, private sector, and civil society (Ref 1, 4, 5). Despite these efforts, a study from 2017 found significant tree removal along the river, and between 1988 and 2014, encroachment into the 30-meter riparian buffer zone dramatically increased, particularly between 2010 and 2014, further degrading the river’s health (Ref 1).
To address these issues, the Nairobi River Basin Programme (NRBP), sponsored by UNEP, was launched in 1999 (Ref 4). Since then, government and non-state actors have worked together on solid waste management, riparian restoration, and wastewater control (Ref 1). The program was implemented in two phases: Phase I (2003–2006) and Phase II (2006–2009), involving stakeholders from the government, private sector, and civil society (Ref 1, 4, 5). Despite these efforts, a study from 2017 found significant tree removal along the river, and between 1988 and 2014, encroachment into the 30-meter riparian buffer zone dramatically increased, particularly between 2010 and 2014, further degrading the river’s health (Ref 1).
Restoration of the Panke river
The Panke is a watercourse that rises outside Berlin and reaches the urban area of the city, flows through the districts of Pankow and Mitte and flows into the Berlin-Spandau Ship Canal in Wedding. The length of the Panke is around 29 kilometres. Almost the entire length of the Panke in Berlin (around 17.6 km) is to be renaturalised - on the section from the state border in the north of Berlin to its confluence with the Berlin-Spandauer-Schifffahrtskanal (BSSK). The Panke is currently a small watercourse that has been heavily remodelled by humans. In large parts of the watercourse, the banks have been straightened like a canal and reinforced with sheet piling, among other things. Existing riverbed drops and weirs prevent fish from travelling unhindered through the watercourse. Studies on water body (structural) quality, typification and other biological quality characteristics have shown that the Panke has poor status values in the majority of Berlin's sections, e.g. in terms of the fish population. The negative assessment results are primarily attributed to the lack of habitat and structural diversity, the lack of passability of the watercourse and, in some cases, high nutrient loads. (Ref. 1)
The restoration of the river was initiated by the State Berlin, following the European Water Framework Directive. The central aim is to implement flood plains and recreate the pre-straightened water course, to ensure space for flooding, habitats for more diverse flora and fauna, increase water flow for better water quality and create a site for recreation in a densely built city. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2) The project started back in 2003 and is expected to be finished in the 2030s (Ref. 2; Ref. 7).
The restoration of the river was initiated by the State Berlin, following the European Water Framework Directive. The central aim is to implement flood plains and recreate the pre-straightened water course, to ensure space for flooding, habitats for more diverse flora and fauna, increase water flow for better water quality and create a site for recreation in a densely built city. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2) The project started back in 2003 and is expected to be finished in the 2030s (Ref. 2; Ref. 7).
