Site Name and Geographic Coordinates
Name: Fangchenggang Mangrove Demonstration Site
Latitude: 23º26’24’’- 21º42’36’’N
Longitude: 108º4’12’’-108º25’48’’E The overall purpose of activities at the Fangchenggang Mangrove Demonstration Site are to: control, and if possible reverse the degradation trends in the mangrove system; encourage participation of all stakeholders in sustainable management and use; and to develop appropriate cross-sectoral management mechanisms that will result in the establishment of a model mangrove reserve to serve as a centre for training, research, international co-operation and exchange. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES
Mangrove ecosystems are one of the four most productive tropical coastal marine habitats. The mangrove forest in Fangchenggang is a unique trans-boundary mangrove forest in China with high species richness. This mangrove forest is of global significance as a flyway for international migratory birds and a suitable habitat of fishes. It provides ecological services, including disaster alleviation, water purification, endangered mangrove species protection, and ecological security for pearl farming and near-shore fishing, by local communities. Mangroves are highly valued by the Chinese government, which in 1990 approved the establishment of the Beilun Estuary Provincial Level Nature Reserve to protect the mangroves in Fangchenggang. The reserve was promoted to be a national level reserve in 2000. China is a large developing country with economic development being its major task. Compared with great achievements in economy, the progress in ecological conservation, such as effective mangrove management, in China still leave much to be desired. So far, no practical mangrove wise-use example has been developed in China that could be used to promote official appreciation and public awareness of the wise use of mangrove resources. This is why ecological stresses posed by shrimp farming, digging, grazing, land erosion, and city expansion on mangroves in Fangchenggang had become more and more serious since 1980s. China shares common objectives with the GEF in mangrove protection. International cooperation in addressing environmental issues is strongly supported by the Chinese government and International cooperation and assistance will facilitate the removal of the threats and improve the conservation and management of mangroves in Fangchenggang, and elsewhere in China. The immediate objectives of implementing this GEF demonstration site project are to: reverse the degradation trends in the mangrove habitat; encourage the participation of all stakeholders, and develop a cross-sectoral management mechanism with adequate financial and technical support. A subsidiary but no less important objective is to build a model mangrove reserve that will become an important facility for training, research, and even international cooperation and exchange. The specific objectives of the project are to:
(i) develop, test and adopt an appropriate cross-sectoral management framework with participation of all stakeholders and decision making systems based on includes appropriate databases;
(ii) develop and implement a business plan that includes a complete stakeholder analysis, identification of potential revenue streams, and full economic valuation of all mangrove goods and services;
(iii) develop as appropriate, and harmonise existing legislation regarding the protection and use of mangrove areas and ensure that adequate capacity exists at all levels to enforce existing regulations;
(iv) develop the Fangchenggang mangrove system as a centre for enhancing the capacity of all stakeholders to sustainably use mangrove habitats and resources through public awareness campaigns, training, programmes of visits and exchange of personnel with other centres of mangrove expertise in the countries bordering the South China Sea.
(v) Restore biodiversity in the area by reforesting 60 ha the mangrove species Heritiera littoralis in Fangchenggang mangrove areas, to demonstrate the technical consideration and practical implementation in biodiversity conservation. OUTCOMES
By the completion of project activities the following outcomes are anticipated: - The trend of mangrove degradation and habitat destruction will be halted in the demonstration site
- Rational use techniques and production patterns will be developed and applied in mangrove areas
- Mangrove management and conservation capacities will be enhanced in the demonstration site
- Public awareness raised regarding the significance of mangroves
- Legislative and financial support for mangrove conservation in the site obtained to ensure financial sustainability
- Good example for mangrove protection, wise use, and community education in China
- Foundation for domestic and international cooperation to protect the trans-boundary mangroves established
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