In French Guiana, large mudbanks move along the coastline from east to west. When present, they dissipate wave energy, protect the coasts from erosion, and allow mangroves to develop. When absent, waves break directly on the beaches, causing stronger erosion. In this way, the coasts of French Guiana are highly dynamic and ever-changing.
Until the early 1980s, the coastline of Mana was made up of a mosaic of wetlands and mangroves along the shore. This area, called the “Savane Sarcelles,” was then converted into a large 5,000-hectare polder dedicated to rice cultivation, which led to the creation of new open wetland habitats rich in biodiversity.
Between 2000 and 2016, in the absence of a protective mudbank, the coast receded by one and a half kilometers.
In addition to these erosion problems, other constraints and difficulties arose that hastened the end of the large rice development project on the site: regulatory changes, changes in ownership, and various economic challenges.
This agricultural decline led to the closure of wetland habitats, which became less rich in biodiversity.
The Mana polder is known for its remarkable and unique ornithological richness at the scale of French Guiana. Each year, it hosts hundreds of thousands of birds from over 200 different species. Among these, migratory shorebirds represent the largest populations, and for them, conserving the Mana polder’s carrying capacity is a conservation issue of global importance.
Aware of these stakes, the Conservatoire is undertaking land management actions to protect this area and preserve its richness by implementing a site project based on diversified agricultural use, public access, and ecotourism development focused on birdwatching.
Project actions and outcomes
The Adapto program plans to implement several studies, some of which are essential for developing the site’s management plan. An example is the BRGM study aimed at modeling the medium-term projection of the coastline. This study will help define the boundary between the natural area, where a flexible coastal management approach will be tested, and the exploited area, thereby establishing an appropriate management strategy.
Maintaining open habitats through cattle grazing, combined with the restoration of the hydraulic network, will contribute to preserving wetlands favorable to birdlife. The ornithological richness of the rice fields gives them strong ecotourism potential. Birdwatching could eventually become the main activity in the former rice fields.
Chronology
2018
- July 5: Land acquisition of 1,500 hectares.
- September 3: Acquisition of a pre-emption right on an area of 2,200 hectares.
- September 14: First steering committee for the development of the management plan; a consortium of four consulting firms is responsible for its implementation.
- October 17: BRGM begins a study aimed at modeling the medium-term (50 years) projection of the coastline and the risk of marine flooding on the polder.
- November 19: Start of the landscape study in partnership with ENSP.
- November 28: First technical committee meeting; BRGM explains the vulnerability of the rice fields to erosion and marine flooding.
2019
- March 11 to 16: EUCC-France workshop in Guyana. Meeting between researchers, managers, and elected officials to exchange knowledge and management strategies for the Guyanese coastline. The Adapto project and results of the landscape study will be presented.
- May 13 to 17: Study trip to Camargue; stakeholders from the Mana territory and elected officials visit sites facing similar issues to Savane Sarcelles.
- May: Results of the BRGM study, on which the consulting firms in charge of the management plan will rely to finalize their diagnosis.
June: Second steering committee for the management plan; consulting firms will present the results of their diagnosis.
Workshop on agriculture with actors from the agricultural sector and project leaders to discuss allocation conditions and individual needs. - July: Start of work to create the first public access to the sea.
- September: Implementation of educational activities in Mana primary schools in partnership with the Association for the Discovery of Nature in Guyana (ADNG).
- December: Third steering committee meeting presenting the project definition for the site.