Safeguarding the sentinels
The mangroves of Salt River Bay,
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, face a new challenge
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, face a new challenge
By Amparo Pikarsky
Like giants dipping
their toes into the briny sea, tall red mangrove trees appear to wade in the
waters of Salt River Bay, standing on
half-submerged roots that tangle all around them. Up to fifty feet high, these
formidable titans cluster at the edge of
the water protecting the land and the bay from each other: acting as powerful
sentinels that shield the land and its
inhabitants from waves, wind, hurricanes and tsunamis, and keeping natural
contaminants from reaching the water.
Mangroves filter solid waste, bacteria, fertilizers and pollutants and provide
a place for silt to accumulate, so it
does not reach the water and make it too cloudy to absorb sunshine—which is so
essential to native sea grasses and
coral, and the marine life, bioluminescence, and endangered species that
co-exist in Salt River Bay.
their toes into the briny sea, tall red mangrove trees appear to wade in the
waters of Salt River Bay, standing on
half-submerged roots that tangle all around them. Up to fifty feet high, these
formidable titans cluster at the edge of
the water protecting the land and the bay from each other: acting as powerful
sentinels that shield the land and its
inhabitants from waves, wind, hurricanes and tsunamis, and keeping natural
contaminants from reaching the water.
Mangroves filter solid waste, bacteria, fertilizers and pollutants and provide
a place for silt to accumulate, so it
does not reach the water and make it too cloudy to absorb sunshine—which is so
essential to native sea grasses and
coral, and the marine life, bioluminescence, and endangered species that
co-exist in Salt River Bay.
Mangroves play an integral part in creating
the mangal, or ecosystem, that is home to the unique diversity of life forms in Salt River Bay National Historic Park
and Ecological Preserve in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The park, which measures 145 hectares (approximately 358
acres), currently includes 19 hectares of mangrove forest— the largest remaining mangrove forest in the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Its footprint has been drastically reduced, though, and faces the threat of additional
minimization in the years ahead. Approximately 12 hectares of mangroves were killed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989; human
intervention and natural recuperation have had limited success in bringing them back. Mangroves and their
ecosystems thrive in protected bays. Unfortunately, these bays are also ideal locations for marinas and boat
facilities. Increased activity and any proposed new construction would not only threaten the trees, but the habitat they
support as well. Four types of mangrove trees grow in this mangal.
the mangal, or ecosystem, that is home to the unique diversity of life forms in Salt River Bay National Historic Park
and Ecological Preserve in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The park, which measures 145 hectares (approximately 358
acres), currently includes 19 hectares of mangrove forest— the largest remaining mangrove forest in the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Its footprint has been drastically reduced, though, and faces the threat of additional
minimization in the years ahead. Approximately 12 hectares of mangroves were killed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989; human
intervention and natural recuperation have had limited success in bringing them back. Mangroves and their
ecosystems thrive in protected bays. Unfortunately, these bays are also ideal locations for marinas and boat
facilities. Increased activity and any proposed new construction would not only threaten the trees, but the habitat they
support as well. Four types of mangrove trees grow in this mangal.
Working
together, the red, black, white and grey mangrove trees create an environment where flora and
fauna can thrive because they are sheltered… and yet, the trees themselves are imperiled. Although mangroves,
with their intricate root systems, are able to withstand wave impacts and winds that would fell many other
trees, they are not immune to the ravages of the most severe tropical storms. When Hurricane Hugo decimated
Salt River Bay’s mangroves in 1989, old growth was almost completely denuded or destroyed. Ten years
later, an effort was made to restore the mangal, as the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service and The St. Croix
Environmental Association planted 18,000 red mangrove propagules and 3,000 black mangrove seedlings.
together, the red, black, white and grey mangrove trees create an environment where flora and
fauna can thrive because they are sheltered… and yet, the trees themselves are imperiled. Although mangroves,
with their intricate root systems, are able to withstand wave impacts and winds that would fell many other
trees, they are not immune to the ravages of the most severe tropical storms. When Hurricane Hugo decimated
Salt River Bay’s mangroves in 1989, old growth was almost completely denuded or destroyed. Ten years
later, an effort was made to restore the mangal, as the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service and The St. Croix
Environmental Association planted 18,000 red mangrove propagules and 3,000 black mangrove seedlings.
According
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.noaa.gov), only 31% of the red propagules
and less than 1% of the new black mangroves planted survived. Mother Nature can be rough, but the human
factor can be the most deadly. Today,
unfortunately, the mangroves are challenged by commercial and recreational
human activity as well. Some kayakers
and sailors use them as starting points for adventure; snorkelers take
advantage of the rich abundance of young
sea life that swim in the waters they encircle.
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.noaa.gov), only 31% of the red propagules
and less than 1% of the new black mangroves planted survived. Mother Nature can be rough, but the human
factor can be the most deadly. Today,
unfortunately, the mangroves are challenged by commercial and recreational
human activity as well. Some kayakers
and sailors use them as starting points for adventure; snorkelers take
advantage of the rich abundance of young
sea life that swim in the waters they encircle.
Occasionally, they dump their
trash in the mangroves, insensitive to
the harm this causes the vegetation, birds, fish and other animals living
there. More nefarious is the damage that
can be caused by large-scale development and resultant pollution, including oil spills from increased boat traffic and
runoff from industrial and agricultural sources (including pesticides). As the Virgin Islands were developed,
mangroves were cut down, surrounding waters were dredged for docks and marinas, and unspoiled lands were filled
in for new construction. It would be nice to think these activities were all in the past, but they’re not.
Although all four species of mangrove are protected by the Endangered and Indigenous Species Act of 1990, which forbids
pruning, cutting, or removing trees, and although Salt River Bay is a protected National Historic Park &
Ecological Preserve, the mangal faces very real danger in the near future.
trash in the mangroves, insensitive to
the harm this causes the vegetation, birds, fish and other animals living
there. More nefarious is the damage that
can be caused by large-scale development and resultant pollution, including oil spills from increased boat traffic and
runoff from industrial and agricultural sources (including pesticides). As the Virgin Islands were developed,
mangroves were cut down, surrounding waters were dredged for docks and marinas, and unspoiled lands were filled
in for new construction. It would be nice to think these activities were all in the past, but they’re not.
Although all four species of mangrove are protected by the Endangered and Indigenous Species Act of 1990, which forbids
pruning, cutting, or removing trees, and although Salt River Bay is a protected National Historic Park &
Ecological Preserve, the mangal faces very real danger in the near future.
The National Park Service (NPS), the Office of
Insular Affairs (OIS), the Government of the Virgin Islands, and a consortium of four universities (the
University of North Carolina Wilmington; the University of the Virgin Islands; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey;
and the University of South Carolina) are planning to build the Salt River Bay Marine Research and Education Center
(MREC) on Hemer’s Peninsula, adjacent to Salt River Bay. A quick look at the plans for this facility
reveals that its parking lot could be located in an area now occupied by mangroves. With 150,000 square feet of new
construction—60,000 sq. ft. of buildings, 40,000 sq. ft. of water tanks and equipment, and 50,000 sq. ft. of roads and
walkways—it is impossible to believe that the MREC won’t have a significant and deleterious impact on a
delicate and fragile ecosystem. Interested in safeguarding these treasured
sentinels?
Insular Affairs (OIS), the Government of the Virgin Islands, and a consortium of four universities (the
University of North Carolina Wilmington; the University of the Virgin Islands; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey;
and the University of South Carolina) are planning to build the Salt River Bay Marine Research and Education Center
(MREC) on Hemer’s Peninsula, adjacent to Salt River Bay. A quick look at the plans for this facility
reveals that its parking lot could be located in an area now occupied by mangroves. With 150,000 square feet of new
construction—60,000 sq. ft. of buildings, 40,000 sq. ft. of water tanks and equipment, and 50,000 sq. ft. of roads and
walkways—it is impossible to believe that the MREC won’t have a significant and deleterious impact on a
delicate and fragile ecosystem. Interested in safeguarding these treasured
sentinels?
Troubled citizens have
approached the NPS, the OIA, and the consortium with alternatives which could
enable them to build their proposed
facility at an ecologically (and economically) more responsible site.
Environmentally concerned individuals
can learn more about their position and join them in taking action by visiting
the website www.savesaltriverbay.com. It
provides ample information about the situation, and provides the tools for addressing decision-makers, to dissuade them
from allowing further development at this location, where the majority of St. Croix’s irreplaceable
mangroves are found.
approached the NPS, the OIA, and the consortium with alternatives which could
enable them to build their proposed
facility at an ecologically (and economically) more responsible site.
Environmentally concerned individuals
can learn more about their position and join them in taking action by visiting
the website www.savesaltriverbay.com. It
provides ample information about the situation, and provides the tools for addressing decision-makers, to dissuade them
from allowing further development at this location, where the majority of St. Croix’s irreplaceable
mangroves are found.
Meet the Salt River
Bay Mangrove Family. Closest to the water are the red mangroves (Rhizophora
mangle), which stand at the front of the intertwining phalanx of plants. They have thick, jumbled
“proproots”— big, curved roots that rise out of the water, trapping run-off and slowing natural currents.
Proproots, a favorite scampering place for young crabs, provide an ideal nursery where fish, sea turtles, sponges,
mollusks, spiny lobsters and brine shrimp can feed and grow, protected from predators until they’re old enough to
thrive in open waters. Dozens of species of juvenile fish have been identified in Salt River Bay’s proproots,
including barracudas, groupers, barjacks, doctorfish, and multiple varieties of parrotfish, grunts, and snappers. Both
recreational and commercial fishermen, as well as snorkelers, rely on the mangal to keep local waters stocked.
Bay Mangrove Family. Closest to the water are the red mangroves (Rhizophora
mangle), which stand at the front of the intertwining phalanx of plants. They have thick, jumbled
“proproots”— big, curved roots that rise out of the water, trapping run-off and slowing natural currents.
Proproots, a favorite scampering place for young crabs, provide an ideal nursery where fish, sea turtles, sponges,
mollusks, spiny lobsters and brine shrimp can feed and grow, protected from predators until they’re old enough to
thrive in open waters. Dozens of species of juvenile fish have been identified in Salt River Bay’s proproots,
including barracudas, groupers, barjacks, doctorfish, and multiple varieties of parrotfish, grunts, and snappers. Both
recreational and commercial fishermen, as well as snorkelers, rely on the mangal to keep local waters stocked.
The red
mangrove’s proproots absorb the salt water which surrounds them. The trees
secrete the salt through tiny pores in
their leaves. As they fall into the water, these leaves decay and feed the mold
and bacteria around them, joining with
the sand, silt and algae to form rich sediment in which newer trees can grow.
In doing so, they actually create new
land—a staggeringly important function in this day of rising sea levels and
rapidly eroding shorelines. Black mangrove trees (Avicennia germinans), which
get their name from the color of their trunks and heartwood, cannot grow with their roots continually
underwater. They are found just a bit further inland than red mangroves, where they are only submerged during storms
and high tides. Rising tall out of oxygen-deprived mud, they have a unique system of roots known as
pneumatophores, which look like pencils and work like snorkels, sticking out of
the soil and water surface so they can
find and absorb oxygen. They trap sediments and solids, thereby reducing shoreline erosion.
mangrove’s proproots absorb the salt water which surrounds them. The trees
secrete the salt through tiny pores in
their leaves. As they fall into the water, these leaves decay and feed the mold
and bacteria around them, joining with
the sand, silt and algae to form rich sediment in which newer trees can grow.
In doing so, they actually create new
land—a staggeringly important function in this day of rising sea levels and
rapidly eroding shorelines. Black mangrove trees (Avicennia germinans), which
get their name from the color of their trunks and heartwood, cannot grow with their roots continually
underwater. They are found just a bit further inland than red mangroves, where they are only submerged during storms
and high tides. Rising tall out of oxygen-deprived mud, they have a unique system of roots known as
pneumatophores, which look like pencils and work like snorkels, sticking out of
the soil and water surface so they can
find and absorb oxygen. They trap sediments and solids, thereby reducing shoreline erosion.
These pneumatophores also
form an ideal place for birds to hide their nests. Salt River Bay’s mangroves are a habitat where frigate birds,
pelicans, herons, egrets, hummingbirds, and many other species have made their homes. Further from the water’s edge is the white
mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), which can grow either as a spreading shrub or a medium-sized tree. It is
distinguished by the light color of its tannin-rich bark and the shape of its leathery-textured leaves…rounded,
unlike the elliptical leaves of red mangroves or the narrower, hairy, salt- encrusted
leaves of the black mangroves.
form an ideal place for birds to hide their nests. Salt River Bay’s mangroves are a habitat where frigate birds,
pelicans, herons, egrets, hummingbirds, and many other species have made their homes. Further from the water’s edge is the white
mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), which can grow either as a spreading shrub or a medium-sized tree. It is
distinguished by the light color of its tannin-rich bark and the shape of its leathery-textured leaves…rounded,
unlike the elliptical leaves of red mangroves or the narrower, hairy, salt- encrusted
leaves of the black mangroves.
They may have either proproots or
pneumatophores, depending on where
they’ve germinated. Salt River Bay is also home to a peripheral species, the
grey mangrove (Conocarpus erectus), a small tree or shrub. Its dense, rounded flower heads give it the
name by which it is known in the islands: the buttonwood.
pneumatophores, depending on where
they’ve germinated. Salt River Bay is also home to a peripheral species, the
grey mangrove (Conocarpus erectus), a small tree or shrub. Its dense, rounded flower heads give it the
name by which it is known in the islands: the buttonwood.
Unlike other mangroves, it lacks “vivipary”—its seeds do
not germinate before they leave the parent plant. Please help us protect the protectors. Visit
www.savesaltriverbay.com— learn more, take action and sign the online petition.
not germinate before they leave the parent plant. Please help us protect the protectors. Visit
www.savesaltriverbay.com— learn more, take action and sign the online petition.