A guide for planners and managers - IUCN

PART I
The Roles of Protected Areas
important where fringing and barrier reefs and mangrove forests help protect low
lying coastal plains, plantations, and villages from the ravages of tropical storms and
tsunamis. It is important, too, along high energy coastlines characterized by sand dunes
stabilized by specific sand-binding
FIGURE I-19.
plants adapted to the harsh dune
environment (Figure I-19).
Barrier islands and sand cays
are dynamic habitats that protect
coastal communities from storm
waves—their shapes and positions
are determined by prevailing winds,
currents, and waves and the stabilizing
influences of reefs and vegetation.
Interference with the
processes of island building and
stabilization can lead to the loss of Sand binding plants build strong dunes and should be protected.
houses, hotels, and other buildings,
along with the loss of valuable island and lagoon habitats. Designated MPAs can help
safeguard such sensitive environments by controlling access, uses, and restricting
construction to safe zones.
In Sri Lanka mangroves, small lagoons, and coconut groves disappeared because
of increased shore erosion, caused by mining of coral reef systems for lime products
(Figure I-20). The National Government responded by establishing a Coastal Zone
Management programme to control the mining. In Bangladesh, a “green belt” of
mangroves along the shoreline greatly reduced the damage caused by a major cyclone
in 1991.
Nature too suffers from catastrophic hazardous events. In many areas such
events are part of a natural cycle of destruction and recovery. Natural disasters (tropical
storms, tornadoes, floods, or even a heavy downpour at low tide, elevated sea water
temperatures and related coral bleaching,
and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks)
may devastate certain coastal habitats
and their associated communities.
Afterward, propagules (larvae and seeds)
drifting in from nearby areas can
replenish depleted communities and
speed the recovery of these habitats. If
thriving and intact communities are
nearby, recruitment potential is high and
recovery can be complete. Having
sufficient protected areas helps ensure
adequate recruitment.
FIGURE I-20.
Sri Lanka suffered severe erosion of its shoreline when
protected coral reefs were degraded by mining for
construction products.
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Photo by John Clark.