The Socio-Cultural Importance of Mangrove forest and Implications for Multi-Use Management in Sheran Sandy Bay Sirpi Community in Nicaragua

B.Sc. Maynor Carias

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Most of the literature on mangroves in Central America is related to biological (Gross et al., 2013) ecological (Gross et al., 2013) and socioeconomic characteristiscs (Fürst et al.,2000). There are few studies on mangroves in Nicaragua (Perez et al., 2008). The Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua is the poorest region of the country comprises two autonomous regions:Region Autonoma de la Costa Caribe Norte Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast (R.A.C.C.N) Capitals are Bilwi (Puerto Cabeza) and Region Autonoma de la Costa Caribe Sur South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (R.A.C.C.S with 27,260 km2 around 306,510 inhabitants) Capitals are (Bluefields). Represent the 57% of the national territory, in rural sector 75 % of the population has no access to electricity and most use wood as an energy source for cooking food (Luna et al., 2008).The Atlantic coast in this area is relatively undeveloped. Population density is about six people per square kilometer (km2), except on the Corn Islands. Most of the country population is found on the Pacific coast (Michael Hogan et al., 2014). Intangible benefits of mangrove ecosystems include social and cultural functions. Mangrove forests support religious and spiritual values, as well as recreational and aesthetic values for ecotourism (UNEP., 2014). Mangroves support many socioeconomic activities including forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, wood,nonwood,forest products, construction material, thatching materials and other local subsistence use (Walters et al., 2008). Mangrove wood is utilized as fuel and as material for rural construction poles are extracted for the construction of fish traps (Glaser et al., 2003).The commercial use of the mangrove trees contributes to the income of a considerable number of households (Glaser et al., 2003).Rhizosphere bark is used for tannin extraction (Glaser et al., 2003). Bark, leaves and young roots from R. mangle, Conocarpus erectus and the grass Spartina alterniflora are used in traditional popular medicine (Almeida et al., 1996). The coastal zone is subjected to diverse anthropogenic pressures due to exploitation and human occupation (szlafsztein et al., 2003). Many specific human activities at various levels (subsistence, artisanal, and industrial) reduce the area of mangroves (Wolanski et al., 2000). Population pressure is typically greatest along the coast, so it is little surprise that human influences on the world mangrove forests are significant and growing. Mangroves have been cleared and degraded on an alarming scale during the past four decades (Wilkie and Fortuna., 2003). Mangrove areas are impacted by clay extraction, aquaculture, agriculture, salt extraction and industrial activities (Senna et al., 2002). May also be affected by recreational activities (szlafsztein et al., 2003). Near urban canters pollution can affect the ecosystem (Rebelo et al., 2001). Uncontrolled human activity pollutes and degrades mangroves and converts them into garbage dumps or to other uses as population density increases in the vicinity (Sanchez et al ., 2000). Focus of this study was to diagnose the Sociocultural important of Mangrove tree for the Community people of Sandy Bay Sirpi (R.A.C.C.S Nicaragua) Sandy Bay Sirpi It is located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea coast, in the municipality outfall of the great river of Matagalpa, Coordinates Geographical coordinates in degrees minutes seconds (WGS84) Latitude: 12 58 00 Longitude -83 32 00. Places near Sandy bay sirpi is Kara,Karawala,La barra, Walpa. Approximately 108 km from the city of Bluefields, Header Regional and 6 km from Karawala, Municipal head. About (311 km) East of Managua, the country capital city, the Miskitu name is derived from the word musket given to them by buccaneers and traders (Smutko.,1985).As a subject for study mangrove because it have important Ecosystem and Socioeconomic activity value use in different form for all the population and with this study give as awa

Abstract:

reness so them can give more value to this species of wetland in this way them will take action for give a proper management to this mangrove trees with really great important for the security of food and for protection from natural event.

Keywords

Presure, Awareness, Assessment, Distribution, Habitat, Characteristiscs, Undeveloped, Socio-Cultural, Socioeconomic, Human, Benefits, Mangrove, Dependence, Demographic

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 31. 8. 2017

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Zbyněk Polesný, Ph.D.
• Reader: Václav Zelený, CSc.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Tropical Crop Management and Ecology