Bryn Mawr College / 360 Trip Project

Negative Effects of Mangrove Pruning

Quantified differences in juvenile fish diversity & abundance between sites with (1) clear-cut, (2) pruned, and (3) untouched mangroves along the coastline of South Water Caye, Belize

Students in the Bryn Mawr College “Coasts in Transition” 360 travelled to South Water Caye, Belize, in March 2015. The group evaluated different mangrove habitats to determine how mangrove integrity (AKA degree of pruning) affected juvenile fish populations.

Findings:

  • Fish abundance & diversity is affected by integrity of mangrove cover.
  • Intact mangroves are an important nursery habitat for reef fish.
  • Pruning mangroves degrades the mangrove nursery function
  • From a management perspective, mangrove pruning is a better option for fish habitat than mangrove clearing.

BMC 360°: Temperate & Tropical Coasts in Transition: https://www.brynmawr.edu/360/360-temperate-and-tropical-coasts-transition