Last updated: April 2025
In 2012, PRZHT (Pôles Relais Zones Humides Tropicales) initiated Project REMA, an effort dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of ponds in the Antilles, with backing from the IUCN. Wetland ecosystems in Martinique and the Caribbean had long been overlooked. However, interest in these habitats grew after PRZHT introduced an interactive virtual tour of Antilles ponds in 2019. Project REMA emerged in response to local concerns about the lack of technical resources for pond restoration in the French West Indies. While similar initiatives had been undertaken in France, there was no specific guide tailored to this region. Though originally conceived in 2012, the project remained dormant for several years before fully launching in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, restoration experiments were conducted on 12 ponds across Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint-Martin, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive technical manual. Building on this success, REMA II was introduced in January 2024 with a three-year scope. This new phase will focus on restoring and maintaining 80 ponds, both public and private, in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Additionally, it will address the management of invasive species and incorporate eDNA analysis to enhance conservation efforts. These small wetlands play a fundamental role in flood regulation, water storage, pollutant filtration, erosion control, and carbon absorption. They also provide refuges for biodiversity and contribute to the resilience of territories in the face of climate change. (1, 2, 3)
Restoration and Maintenance of the Ponds of the Antilles
https://www.pole-tropical.org/2022/04/le-projet-rema-restauration-et-entretien-des-mares-des-antilles/
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes
- Mangroves
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Climate change mitigation
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Coastal protection / hazard mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- Drought
- Coastal hazards (e.g. erosion, flooding)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Invasive alien species
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows), Improving coastal resilience, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality, Restoration of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass), Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Scientific research of biodiversity or ecosystems, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem, Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management
Project objectives
Provide technical support, expertise and assistance to project management to better preserve ponds: an active network of volunteers (amateurs and professionals) is trained in each area in pond maintenance and restoration techniques.
Protect and restore ponds: pond restoration operations are being successfully carried out in the two targeted areas.
Protect wetlands for flood regulation, water storage, pollutant filtration, erosion control, and carbon absorption.
Provide refuges for biodiversity and contribute to the resilience of territories in the face of climate change.(1, 2, 3)
Implementation activities
Phase 1: This project, which began in September 2021 produced a comprehensive technical guide for wetland conservation. Designed for environmental managers, this guide is based on research conducted at 12 experimental pilot sites across Martinique, Guadeloupe, Marie-Galante, and Saint-Martin.The selected ponds represent a range of typical cases found in the region, each highlighting key challenges related to tropical wetland ecosystems. These include variations in pond typology, ecological function, specific restoration needs, invasive alien species (IAS) management, and priority conservation actions. By studying these diverse sites, the project has been able to develop targeted strategies for sustaining and restoring these valuable aquatic environments.
Phase 2: Key project activities include supporting restoration efforts through biodiversity assessments, species protection, and IAS monitoring. Scientific protocols are developed for water and plant analysis, inventories, and eDNA studies. Collaboration with experts ensures data-driven restoration strategies, which are integrated into the REMA Guide.
Training is also a priority, with sessions for participants, partners, and officials on pond biodiversity and restoration. The project provides educational programs for the partner network and organizes seminars to raise awareness among local decision-makers about ecosystem conservation. (1, 2,3)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Implement measures that prevent/manage desertification, soil erosion and landslides
- Restore mangroves, marshes, reefs and wetlands to dissipate the effects of storms and floodwaters
Climate change mitigation:
- Protect and restore coastal wetlands, mangroves and salt marshes, aiming at sequestering carbon dioxide and storing it in their soils
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 restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Clear and control invasive alien species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- National-level government
- Citizens or community groups
- Coastal-dependent communities (e.g. small-scale fishers, coastal farmers, and indigenous peoples)
Governance
Management set-up
Type of initiating organisation
- Transnational network
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Dissemination of information and education
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Both phases of the REMA project were supported by local and community stakeholders, including private and public landowners, as well as regional and international organizations like Pôles Relais Zones Humides Tropicales (PRZHT) and the IUCN. Spanning multiple communities and islands, the project fostered connections across Martinique.
REMA I and II also collaborated with various associations, such as Roots of the Sea, the Saint Luce citizens’ association, and the town’s technical department, engaging actors across different levels of governance—from local city planners to regional NGOs. Its strong ties with PRZHT ensured alignment with French State governance, securing financial support and guidance from the OFB (French Office for Biodiversity) and the the Martinique Water Office (ODE) to advance the preservation of overseas tropical wetlands. (4) In phase II of the project Albioma Foundation and the Crédit Agricole Pays de France Foundation joined as financing org. (6)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(European Water Framework Directive (WFD - 2000/60/EC) (4))
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(The PRZHT is part of the network of Wetland Relay Centers, created in 2001 in line with the 1st National Wetland Plan to encourage and support local initiatives for the sustainable management of these environments. (6))
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Capacity-building projects, Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships), City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
€100,000 - €500,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Achieved enhanced carbon sequestration
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved stormwater management
- Achieved improved stormwater management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Achieved increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Achieved improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Expected increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
- Achieved increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
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
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Pôle-relais zones humides tropicales (PRZHT) (n.d.). Historique & missions. Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
2.
MARTINIQUE BIODIVERSITY OBSERVATORY (n.d.). REMA PROJECT. Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
3.
Wetland Relay Centers (n.d.). The REMA project – Restoration and Maintenance of the Ponds of the Antilles. Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
4.
Herteman, M., Norden, M., & Vandersarren, G. (n.d.). Guide Technique de Restauration et d’Entretien. Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
5.
Pôle-relais zones humides tropicales (PRZHT) (n.d.). Call for tenders: Scientific expertise REMA II project (Restoration and Maintenance of Antilles Ponds – phase 2024-2026). Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
6.
Pôle-relais zones humides tropicales (PRZHT) (n.d.). Plan Stratégique d’Action 2022-2026. Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
7.
Albioma (n.d.). Projet REMA (Restauration et Entretien des Mares des Antilles) – Comité français de l’UICN, Pôle-relais zones humides tropicales. Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
8.
Pôle-relais zones humides tropicales (n.d.). Intro -UICN. Accessed on April 1, 2025,;
Restoration and Maintenance of the Ponds of the Antilles
https://www.pole-tropical.org/2022/04/le-projet-rema-restauration-et-entretien-des-mares-des-antilles/
Restoration and Maintenance of the Ponds of the Antilles
https://www.pole-tropical.org/2022/04/le-projet-rema-restauration-et-entretien-des-mares-des-antilles/
Restoration and Maintenance of the Ponds of the Antilles
https://www.pole-tropical.org/2022/04/le-projet-rema-restauration-et-entretien-des-mares-des-antilles/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.