Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Search this
Type:
YouTube Videos
Uploaded:
2010-07-08T14:41:39.000Z
Views:
3,123
Video Title:
Kuna Yala: Tradition and Climate Change - Ammar daed, Neg Billi Guadanigi
Description:
Before the 1980s, coral reefs were considered relatively stable and healthy in Kuna-Yala, Caribbean Panama. However, during the 1980s, several natural disturbances changed the reef's community structure. We evaluated historical changes in coral cover and for the first time provide quantitative evidence of a large-scale process of reef degradation. This process started long before the onset of these disturbances, due to demographic growth and the traditional practices of the Kuna people. Living coral cover declined 79% in 30 years (1970-2001), whereas the indigenous population increased 62%. We measured 20 km of seawall built with mined reef corals (16,000 m3) and an increase in island surface area of 6.23 ha due to coral landfilling. Consequently, coastal erosion has increased due to the lack of a protective natural barrier and a 2.0 mm/yr local increase in sea level. Coral mining and land filling practices to accommodate population expansion, as well as offset mismanagement of resources, have significantly modified the reef ecosystem, and will have serious long-term consequences. We propose eight priority conservation areas within the Indian reserve, based on reef conservation status. The Kuna people and their leaders who are considering a cultural change, which may include a gradual and organized migration to the mainland, have optimistically accepted our results and supported this video. Video history based on: Guzman, H.M., C.A. Guevara & A. Castillo. 2003. Natural disturbances and mining of Panamanian coral reefs by indigenous people. Conservation Biology, 17: 1-7.
