Interim Coastal Development Guidelines

Coastal Development Guidelines
Appendix 2
2. Species
The mangrove habitat and seagrass beds support several species including
sponges, worms, crustaceans, mollusks and algae. They also act as
important nursery grounds for several commercially important fish
species. Some of the fish species that frequent waters near mangrove
habitats including barracudas, flatheads, gobies, jacks, trevalies, silver
biddies, grunts, sweetlips, rabbitfish, mullets and terapons.
Mangrove and tidal mudflats support a large number of bird species,
mostly waders. Herons e.g. Western reef heron (Egretta gularis), Grey
heron (Ardea cinerea) and egrets are commonly seen. Waders like
Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus),
Redshank (Tringa tetanus), and Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) are usually
seen feeding on the mudflats (Figure1).
Apart from these species Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) are
seen in numbers ranging into several hundred mostly during winters
in the area. Crab plovers (Dromas ardeola) use the inter-tidal area and
the mangrove while on their local east-west migration in the country.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) and
Marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) are commonly seen particularly during
winters. Apart from the species and groups mentioned many terns, gulls,
pipits, wagtails are encountered in the area. The general bird list of the
area is provided in Appendix E.
3. Natural processes
In order to maintain healthy mangroves, it is essential to allow for natural
tidal fluctuations. Mangroves are generally found in areas that get under
water during high tide and where the waves are not very strong. This
area is shallow and sheltered from wave action by landforms that act as
natural breakwaters.
Some threats to natural processes include interruption of tidal and
circulation patterns as a result of development projects. Additionally,
mangrove areas usually occur in low energy environments, and increase
in boat traffic can increase wave action, thus potentially disturbing the
natural environment.
Some of the mangrove plantations in this area have been badly affected
due to surrounding landfill activities, and the burial of roots not allowing
for respiration. In other areas within this basin, the mangrove plantations
have remained healthy but are under threat as circulation patterns
have been interrupted as a result of the channel being blocked around
development projects.
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