Last updated: October 2024
The beach of Vétiver, located in the municipality of Case-Pilote, is one of the most important nesting sites for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Martinique. It is also a nesting ground for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), another endangered species. As one of the last minimally urbanized beaches in the North Caribbean of Martinique, the site plays a vital role in the conservation of these species. In addition, fishing restrictions in the area significantly reduce the risk of turtle mortality caused by accidental capture in fishing gear, which is the leading cause of human-related sea turtle deaths in the Antilles. However, the site faces several stressors that hinder successful nesting. The surrounding vegetation is severely degraded due to invasive alien species, and much of the shrub and tree cover has disappeared from the backshore, where turtles prefer to nest. Without adequate vegetation, hatchlings are left exposed to the heat. Additionally, the beach is frequently disturbed by local residents and visitors for recreational activities. With no designated parking area, cars often park directly on the beach, compacting the soil and further limiting the chances for vegetation to recover or turtles to dig nests. This compaction forces turtles to lay their eggs closer to the shoreline, increasing the risk of nests being washed away by heavy swells. In 2022, the non-profit organization "Asso-mer" and its partners launched the Véti’Vert project on a previously neglected public green space. Through environmental restoration efforts, they created a nesting enclosure on the backshore to mitigate these stressors and improve the conditions for sea turtle nesting. The project also engaged with local residents to increase the chances of success (Refs 1-3).
Fenced area for sea turtle nesting
Screenshot taken from the video in: https://www.lassomer.fr/vetivert-restauration-de-la-foret-littorale-a-vetiver/
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastlines
Key challenges
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Marine and coastal biodiversity protection
- Environmental quality
- Soil quality improvement
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Invasive alien species
- Deforestation and forest degradation
- Soil degradation and loss
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Poor community engagement
- Resource Scarcity and Competition
- Human-wildlife conflicts
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community
Focus
Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Coastal landscape management or protection, Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Soil remediation and revegetation, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, Habitat conservation, Marine and coastal conservation initiatives, Creating nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, or biodiversity hotspots to conserve unique ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem
Project objectives
To restore a coastal forest habitat that is more favorable to nesting sea turtles by implementing soil and vegetative cover remediation (invasive species clearance and native species considered).
To resolve human-wildlife conflicts by creating dedicated spaces for human activities and designated areas for sea turtle nesting.
To spread awareness by educating local school children on the life cycle of sea turtles, the importance of conservation, and the adoption of proper habits, with the goal of reaching their parents and the wider community. (Refs 1, 2)
Implementation activities
The project aimed to improve sea turtle nesting conditions and raise community awareness. Old, broken public facilities were removed, and a designated parking area was created to prevent cars from parking on the beach, which compacted the soil and disrupted nesting. The soil behind the beach, where turtles prefer to lay eggs, was decompacted using a backhoe loader, making it easier for turtles to dig nests. Fenced nesting enclosures were set up behind the beach to prevent human disturbance, while allowing turtles free access. Invasive plant species like Tulipier du Gabon were removed, and native plants such as Catalpa, Raisiniers bord de mer, Galba, and Patate bord de mer were planted. Informational panels were installed to educate visitors, including on the dangers of fishing gear, a leading cause of sea turtle mortality in the Antilles.
Local schoolchildren and volunteers were involved in planting native trees, and workshops were held with students from École Saint Just-d’Orville to teach them about the sea turtle life cycle and the importance of conservation. A film was also created to document and share the project. Finally, the municipal landscaping department is responsible for regular site maintenance, ensuring the project's long-term success. This initiative not only enhances the turtles' nesting environment but also engages the community in meaningful conservation efforts. (Ref. 1, 2, 3)
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Coastal communities
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Promote environmentally-sound development in and around protected areas
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
- Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
- Control and clean invasive alien species
- Means for conservation governance
- Raise public awareness
- Public engagement
- Capacity building
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
- Restore valued species
- Clear and control invasive alien species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
- Local government/municipality
- Public sector institution
- Non-government organisation/civil society
- EU body
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
After discussions between the municipality of Case Pilote and the Assomer NGO, Assomer took the lead on the project. They partnered with the National Office for Forests for coastal restoration expertise and coordinated with financing bodies, including the EU's Life4Best programme, the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), and the French Agency for Development (AFD). Assomer also involved educational partners like the Saint-Just d’Orville elementary school, the National Martinican Botanical Conservatory, and the Carbet des Sciences for the project's educational aspect. Teaching staff, volunteers, and schoolchildren participated in native tree planting, while site maintenance is now handled by the municipal landscaping department. A workshops were held with students from École Saint Just-d’Orville to teach them about the sea turtle life cycle and the importance of conservation. (Ref.1-3)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(The project is funded under the LIFE4BEST-OR by the LIFE Programme of the European Commission together with the French national government's OFB and the AFD. The LIFE4BEST-OR program which aims to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of ecosystem services and nature-based approaches to climate change adaption and mitigation, in the Overseas Regions (ORs), by providing funding to relevant projects. LIFE4BEST-OR primarily responds to EU-level strategies, particularly the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (Ref 2).)
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(The LIFE4BEST-OR program aligns with several French national strategies aimed at biodiversity and environmental protection (Ref. 2))
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Support from transitional governance actors, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- EU funds
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increase in protected green space areas
- Achieved increase in protected green space areas
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Expected reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Expected increased protection of threatened species
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Achieved improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Reduced human-wildlife conflicts
- Expected reduced human-wildlife conflicts
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Assomer (n.d.). Restauration de la forêt littorale et de l’habitat de ponte des tortues marines de la plage de Vétiver située sur le commune de Case-Pilote. . lassomer.fr, Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
2.
life4best (n.d.). Restauration d’un site littoral dégradé. life4best.org, Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Réseau Tortues Marines Martinique (2022). @L'Asso-Mer est heureuse de vous présenter le film réalisé dans le cadre du projet Véti'VERT ! . Facebook, Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
4.
INSEE (2024). Dossier complet Commune de Case-Pilote (97205). insee.fr, Accessed on September 24, 2024,;
Fenced area for sea turtle nesting
Screenshot taken from the video in: https://www.lassomer.fr/vetivert-restauration-de-la-foret-littorale-a-vetiver/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.