Tsunami Leaves Behind Human Devastation and Environmental Damage that May Take Decades to Recover

(I-Newswire) January 7, 2005 - As aid arrives to countries hit by the tsunami to provide much-needed food, shelter and medicine for the survivors, scientists are beginning to focus on the longer-term environmental damage that will affect the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities for years to come.

While the extent has yet to be quantified, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, beaches and coastal wetlands have been severely damaged by the tsunami, depleting natural resources that communities rely upon for survival.

In addition to the direct destruction caused by the storm, contamination from run-off, pollution and sedimentation continues and will result in even further damage to the surrounding areas. Coastal erosion will likely continue for many years.

"The environmental impact is massive and will likely be felt for many years by the survivors of this tragedy," said Lynne Hale, director of The Nature Conservancy's Global Marine Initiative who worked in Thailand's Phuket Island and Sri Lanka – both severely hit by the tsunami – for many years. "As countries begin to rebuild from the damage, the conservation community needs to work with government officials to restore and protect the natural habitats that support local communities."

Hale added: "Food security is directly tied to marine resources. In order to make sure fisherman can rebuild their economy and people can eat, reefs, wetlands and marine protected areas must be restored. Conservationists should also work with local officials to rebuild the lost scientific and management capacity needed to bring damaged ecosystems back to health."

Many of South Asia's coral reef systems – which were already threatened by overfishing – are now smashed to rubble or buried by mounds of sediments. These reefs provided vital habitat for a variety of fish and rare species. Fish depletions will severely affect countries hit by the tsunami, such as Indonesia whose people rely on fish for 53 percent of their protein.

The damage will affect the region's fishing as well as tourist industries.

"While tsunamis are a natural process in coastal ecosystems in Southeast Asia the impact of this tsunami on marine and coastal biodiversity is extraordinary and may well cause the extinction of entire species," said Dr. Ian Dutton, Director of Conservation Measures at The Nature Conservancy and who led the Conservancy's Indonesian program for many years. "Studies of corals affected by submarine earthquakes and tsunamis have shown that recovery will take many decades and the resulting coral community may be much different than the previous one."

Dutton said the coastal and marine damage caused by the tsunami may have been exacerbated by poor environmental planning, such as over-development in low-lying areas with little natural protection and human-caused destruction of mangroves, coral reefs and other natural barriers that protect against coastal erosion. Damage to some communities that had healthy mangrove and reef systems was less severe because the natural barriers shielded against large waves and flooding.

"We must protect these areas, so they can protect us," Dutton said. "Along with restoring and protecting the marine and coastal resources of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami, we must also focus our attention on nearby natural areas that were spared the horrific destruction. If these neighboring areas are protected and remain healthy, they can serve as a critical source of seed to restock devastated areas."

The Nature Conservancy has worked for more than ten years in Indonesia – one of the nations hardest hit by the tsunami. The Conservancy has marine and coastal projects on the islands of Borneo, Sulawesi, Raja Ampat, Papua and the Lesser Sadu Islands. Fortunately, no Conservancy staff were hurt or killed by the tsunami.

The Conservancy is now working with a variety of partners in Indonesia, throughout Southeast Asia and around the world to address the immediate and long-term impacts of the tsunami disaster.

Staff in the Conservancy's Indonesian program have also set up a fund and are working with local aide groups to provide assistance and help coordinate the delivery of supplies to survivors of the tragedy.

For more information:
Statement from Nature Conservancy President Steve McCormick on the Tsunami Disaster and Relief Efforts
The world has begun the New Year facing the ravages of one of the most severe natural disasters in history.
http://nature.org/pressroom/press/press1725.html

The Nature Conservancy in Indonesia
We have worked in partnership with the people of Indonesia for more than ten years. Our hearts go out to them.
http://nature.org/wherewework/asiapacific/indonesia/

Science: Conservation Measures Group
The Conservation Measures and Audit Group (CMG) is focused on the final part of the Conservancy's adaptive conservation process-providing guidance and tools to measure our conservation success at various scales.
http://nature.org/tncscience/strategies/mat.html

Relief Organizations Working in the Disaster Area
A list of non-governmental organizations working throughout the disaster area from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/ngolist.html


Aid Groups Accepting Donations for Victims
A list of ways to donate from CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/tsunami.aidsites/

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