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MGI shows, through mapping mangrove health over 2 years, the impact of accumulated solid waste debris in degrading mangroves of Kingston Harbour

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute team presented at the 7th International Marine Debris Conference hosted in South Korea, highlighting deteriorating health of mangroves in relation to solid waste debris. MGI’s presentation by Ms Ajani Bissick explained our methodology, as part of the KHEAM Project, of Monitoring the Effects of Plastic Marine Debris on the Growth and Health of Mangroves within the Kingston Harbour.

MGI GIS Research Associate, Ms. Ajani Bissick, presented research findings on the effects of plastic marine litter on the growth & health of mangroves within the Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

We shared with conference attendees work done using remote sensing and our recently developed plastics litter debris detection algorithm. Results point to a strong correlation between marine debris accumulation and deteriorating mangrove health.

MGI’s research showed that an inverse relationship exists between the two variables:
as accumulated plastic marine debris decreases, vegetation density and mangrove health increases over time

Kingston Harbour Ecosystems Adaptation Measures (KHEAM) is a project of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, co-financed by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety through KfW. Follow us for more updates on the status of the KHEAM project and mangrove health within the Kingston Harbour on our website and at our IG handles: @mgi.blue @mgimona