Case study 25: Mangroves in the Cayman Islands

Question 1

What are the opportunities presented by the mangroves in the Cayman Islands?

Answer 1

Protects low-lying islands from natural disasters e.g. Hurricane Ivan in 2004: 75% of buildings damaged - would’ve been much worse without the mangroves.
Roots protect against soil erosion.
Firewood
Decomposition of mangrove leaves provide the water with nutrients.
Various species use the Mangroves to recreate.
Tourism: 75% of the Cayman Islands GNP comes from tourism.

Question 2

What are the threats to the mangroves in the Cayman Islands?

Answer 2

Tourism: mangroves are being removed to instal tourist faculties.
e.g. 2010: 83 hectares of mangroves were removed to make space for a project in Dragon Bay.