A Natural History of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
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A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO, MOZAMBIQUE B.I. Everett, R.P. van der Elst and M.H. Schleyer (Editors) OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Publication No 8 2008 FRONT COVER: The beautiful tropical island paradise of Bazaruto. Photograph by Stewart Stanbury. The Investigational Report series of the Oceanographic Research Institute presents the detailed results of marine biological research. Reports have appeared at irregular intervals since 1961. All manuscripts are submitted for peer review locally and abroad. The Special Publication series of the Oceanographic Research Institute reports on expeditions, surveys and workshops, or provides bibliographic and technical information. The series appears at irregular intervals. The Poster series of the Oceanographic Research Institute provides a permanent record for the wider distribution of poster presentations at conferences. The series appears at irregular intervals. The Bulletin series of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research is of general interest and reviews the research and curatorial activities of the Oceanographic Research Institute and SEA WORLD’s aquarium and dolphinarium. It is published annually. These series are available in exchange for relevant publications of other scientific institutions anywhere in the world. All correspondence in this regard should be directed to: The Librarian Oceanographic Research Institute P O Box 10712 MARINE PARADE 4056 Durban, South Africa SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Publication No. 8 A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO, MOZAMBIQUE B.I. Everett, R.P. van der Elst and M.H. Schleyer (Editors) Published by South African Association for Marine Biological Research P O Box 10712 MARINE PARADE 4056, SOUTH AFRICA Copyright 2008 ISBN 0-86989-082-4 ABSTRACT This publication is an overview of the ecology of the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique. It comprises a series of individual chapters compiled by different authors on topics ranging from the archipelago’s terrestrial fauna and flora to its rich marine biodiversity, human population and conservation management. Whilst the content has a scientific basis and will contribute to further study and management of the region, it is also considered to be a valuable source of information for tourists and others who visit the islands. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This Special Publication has its origins in the 1990 report by Dutton and Zolho. Subsequently, many others have contributed to its finalization, as authors or as expert advisors. It was sponsored by WWF South Africa, the conservation organisation, and the African Wildlife Heritage Trust through South African Airways. The following individuals have contributed to either or both the original report and to this Special Publication. Their contributions are acknowledged as representing an important step in the conservation and the development of marine protected areas in the West Indian Ocean. Paul Dutton, Roberto Zolho and Sheila Ramsay are acknowledged for the original comprehensive study and reporting of the Conservation Master Plan for Bazaruto. Their work was ahead of its time and represents an important step in the proclamation and development of the Bazaruto Marine Park. Inspirational support from Johns Hanks, Allan Heydorn and especially Ken Tinley is recognised in promoting marine and coastal conservation in Mozambique and specifically the Bazaruto Archipelago. Similarly, several people supported the project in their personal capacity, including Pat Goss, Dan and Jos Landry, Ricky Jacobs, David Anderson, Tony de Freitas and a number of staff at the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) in Durban. While the environmental threat of major oil exploration is of concern, the EIA studies commissioned by SASOL represent an important contribution to the ecological and socio-economic understanding of the region. Besides those listed as chapter authors, individuals, who contributed to particular themes of the original study and the report, are listed: Avifauna: Richard Brooke; Phil Hockey: Tim Crowe; Mateus Chambal; Olaf Wirminghaus; Colleen Downes. Crocodiles: Jon Hatton; David Tullison-Smith. Dune dynamics: Ken Tinley; Andrew Cooper; Peter Ramsay. Herpetofauna: Donald Broadley; Olaf Wirminghaus, Colleen Downes. Legislation and Management: Lucinda Cruz; Roberto Zolho; Helena Motta. Mammals: Paul Dutton. Marine Ecosystem: Tony de Freitas; Pat Garratt; Simon Chater; Winks Emmerson; Andrew Cooper; Peter Ramsay. Ornamental shells: Paul Dutton; Manuel Antonio Amorim; Kelly Landrey, Luis Avevedo. Vegetation: Paul Dutton, Bob Drummond. Wildlife Management: Jeremy Anderson. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY.................................................................................. 1 PART I THE ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING....................................................................... CHAPTER 1 GEOMORPHOLOGY AND THE TERRESTRIAL AND OCEANOGRAPHIC SETTING ................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2 GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS OF THE BAZARUTO ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO...................................................... 9 PART II THE HUMAN IMPACT ..................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER 3 ARCHAEOLOGY....................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER 4 A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO....................................................................................... 32 PART III TERRESTRIAL PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE.................................................. 35 CHAPTER 5 TERRESTRIAL HABITATS AND VEGETATION...................................... 37 CHAPTER 6 TERRESTRIAL MAMMALS ...................................................................... 41 CHAPTER 7 REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS ................................................................. 46 CHAPTER 8 BIRDS OF THE BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO ......................................... 54 PART IV MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND FAUNA.......................................................... 61 CHAPTER 9 MARINE ECOSYSTEMS ......................................................................... 63 CHAPTER 10 SEAGRASS BEDS.................................................................................. 65 CHAPTER 11 CORAL REEFS ....................................................................................... 70 CHAPTER 12 MOLLUSCS............................................................................................. 81 CHAPTER 13 FISH AND FISHERIES............................................................................ 93 CHAPTER 14 MARINE MAMMALS AND REPTILES .................................................. 110 PART V MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................. 113 CHAPTER 12 MANAGEMENT OF THE BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO ...................... 115 FOREWORD Islands and their surrounding coastal areas are extraordinary environmental settings covering about one-sixth of the Earth’s surface and providing special habitats which host more than half of the world’s marine flora and fauna, including exotic and endemic species. Due to their high biodiversity, aesthetics and cultural values they are vital for the development of social and economic activities providing livelihood, employment and leisure opportunities to more than 500 million people living on the world’s islands. Despite their well known importance in providing a great deal of benefits to human kind, their natural functional integrity is threatened by human population growth and unsustainable development activities which exert heavy pressure over them. Furthermore, negative impacts of global climate change and resulting sea level rise make the islands some of the most fragile and vulnerable resources on the planet. The Eastern African Marine Ecoregion (EAME), which stretches from southern Somalia to the Cape in South Africa, consists of a coastline of about 4,600 km, comprising some of the richest ecosystems in the world. It is a habitat that supports about 22 million people whose livelihoods depend to a great extent on marine and coastal resources. Some areas of the EAME are still pristine; and hotspots have been identified in the last 40 years where parks and reserves are being developed for their protection against unsustainable use. Governments and civil society in this region have been strongly engaged in promoting the sustainability of marine and coastal resources for the upkeep of leisure opportunities and recreational facilities, security and the uniqueness of the islands, thus ensuring the potential benefits for present and future generations. The failure and success stories of early establishment of conservation sites in the region have been providing valuable lessons for the development of a new approach for Marine Parks Areas currently being adopted. The archipelago of Bazaruto is a group of 5 islands on the Mozambique coast, rich in biodiversity, including the largest dugong population in the EAME region. It has been classified as an island group of world significance and considered a priority seascape for conservation. It is a successful story in marine park conservation. The book entitled A Natural History of Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique provides a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary overview of the social, economic and ecological aspects of the Archipelago