Indigenous Tree Nursery

In addition to the coral nursery and sea turtle hatchery, we also maintain an indigenous tree nursery.  Along with their common ecological benefits, trees are especially important on islands due to their natural coastal protection benefits.  The rising sea levels and the increasing intensity and amount of natural disasters due to global warming results in small islands becoming even more vulnerable to erosion and flooding, a problem I have seen firsthand here on Palau Tengah. 

Not only does beach erosion damage property, but it also destroys natural nesting beaches for sea turtles.  Erosion and sediment runoff can not only be damaging to an island, but to the coral reef ecosystems directly around an island as well. Increased sedimentation in the water blocks the sunlight from reaching the corals, which prevents the corals from being able to photosynthesis and eventually can lead to coral bleaching and death. Since coral reefs act as a barrier during natural disasters, buffering the impact of waves and storms, the damage of the coral reefs would allow for more damage to the coastline which in turn creates a viscous deteriorating cycle.


Certain tree species have been identified to reduce erosion due to their "sand stabilizing root systems" as well as reduce the impact of runoff with their overarching canopy style branches.  On Palau Tengah, we have identified six species that are indigenous and promote coastal protection.  These species include the Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), Sea Poison Tree (Baringtonia asiatica), Sea Cabbage (Scaevola taccada), Indian Almond (Terminalia catappa), Mangrove Palm (Nypa fruticans), and the Mangrove Tree (Rhizophora mucronate).


The work involved with the native tree nursery includes collecting the various species of seeds from around the island, transplanting the seedlings into the nursery, maintaining the nursery on a daily basis, and eventually transplanting the trees back along the coastlines where they can grow and protect the island.







Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 4, 2025 at 3:56 AM

    Thanks for sharing this! marine biology bali sounds absolutely fascinating—so much natural beauty and biodiversity!

    ReplyDelete

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