Eritrea's Coastal Marine and Island Biodiversity Conservation Project

The method basically relies on low technology, and involves the input of nutrients that the sea water is deficient; iron, phosphorus and nitrogen or DAP
(di-ammonium phosphate). Accordingly a local method of planting has been adopted; the mangrove seeds are planted in a tin can covered with a wire
mesh, and to protect wash away by waves and tide it is tied to a physical structure (iron rod) and anchored to the ground.
Over the piloted sites the mangrove forests have contributed to the enhancement of the environment at a micro level, by providing sheltering, spawning
and nursery area for many living creatures and protection from coastal erosion. Its litter production provides additional nutrient supply to the system.
An immediate economic benefit to the coastal communities is job creation. Local people (mainly women) are hired to work on every activity of the
project. Through its projected activities, the project also demonstrated livestock can be grown with foliage and dried seeds of mangrove trees as the
main food for the coastal people.
5.7. Coastal Vegetation
The dominant natural vegetation of the coast are sparse coverage of shrubs and grasses of different desert species including Acacia nubica, Acacia
tortilis, Callotropis procera, mangrove species such as Avicennia marina or halophytes such as Suaeda monoica. Tamarix aphylla grows along water
courses. Halophytic plants, which serve as animal feed during the dry season, are common in the immediate coastal areas and Dahlak Kebir Island. For
example, the Soemmerring’s gazelles in Dahlak Kebir consume the halophytic vegetation in reasonable proportion until better feeding conditions
prevail.
Occasionally, small patches of some riverine species such as the ‘doum-palm’ are found in waterlogged areas or along the seasonal waterways that
drain into the Red Sea. Of the existing woody vegetation, are represented by acacia species such as: Acacia laeta, Acacia ehrenbergiana, Acacia
tortilis, Acacia asak, Terminalia brownii, Ziziphus spina christi, Combretum fragrans, Vangueria madagascariensis, Hyphaene thebaica, and Tamarix
aphylla. The Buri peninsula on the coastal lowlands on the other hand comprises a magnificent landscape of semi-desert plains, Acacia woodlands,
lava flows and scenic bays and inlets of the Red Sea. On the islands and along the coastline, mangrove vegetation grows in various spots but mainly in
two concentrations around Assab and the nearby islands, and between Tio and Massawa. The vegetation is composed of Avicennia marina,
Rhyzophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal.
5.7.1. Threats to Coastal Vegetation
The main threats to the coastal vegetation are:
- Destruction due to heavy grazing by pastoralists and by other livelihood related activities.
- Coastal fishing camps in particular on islands
- Clearing of coastal areas for tourism activities
State of the Coast Eritrea, 2006-2007 39