Atidza

My heart sunk when I turned and saw the man in the photo above (40 seconds video below) transports black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) branches — he had just cut down — on a canoe near the Densu Delta lagoon in Accra, Ghana's capital city. Mangroves in Ghana: Fisherman in Accra transports felled black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) to construct Atidza or Acadja brush parks. Atidza/Acadja brush parks create artificial habitats to entrap many fish species, including blackchin tilapia. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantMan transports black mangrove branches over the Densu River to construct brush parks. Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantFisherman transports felled black mangrove branches on an artisanal canoe over the Densu Delta in Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantUrban poor man cut down black mangrove trees and transports the branches on a canoe over a river. McCarthy Hills residential areas in the background. Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant Fishermen on the Densu River use mangroves vegetation in the area to construct Atidza or Acadja brush parks. Man had cut down black mangrove trees and transporting the branches on a wooden canoe to construct Atidza or Acadja brush parks. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant About 3 minutes after the man had meandered his way south, the man above (a different person) showed up. All within a span of 5 minutes. Atidza/Acadja around the Densu Delta lagoon involves the use of mangrove brush bundles to create artificial habitats to attract fish, including blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron). Avicennia germinans (black mangroves) trees in a mangrove vegetation area in Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant But mangroves are incredibly important trees, and cutting them down exposes the Densu Delta's wetland ecosystems to erosion, waves, winds, and floods. This even threatens coastal communities. Mangroves are incredibly important trees, and cutting them down exposes the Densu Delta's wetland ecosystems to erosion, waves, winds, and floods. See photos of fishermen engaged in Atidza/Acadja: Fishing in Ghana: Atidza (Acadja) Brush Park Fishing Why Are Mangroves Important? https://youtu.be/OsEQKKrugRQ Mangroves also serve as nursery habitats for fish and crustaceans, including different species of crabs. Aside from providing habitats for hundreds of species (including threatened and endangered species), they also filter and trap sediments and other pollutants, helping to maintain water quality. Rhizophora racemosa (red mangroves) and crabs: Mangrove crabs hang on to the prop roots of Rhizophora racemosa suspended over the Densu River. Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantFiddler crab (Uca tangeri): A purple male fiddler crab says hi from the aerial roots of black mangrove trees. Male fiddler crabs have one large claw and use it to attract females. They also use the large bright claw as a weapon during courtship conflicts with other males. Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant These tough trees that thrive in salty conditions also trap and store more carbon than even rainforests, helping to tackle climate change. Mangroves trees in Ghana are used as charcoal and fuelwood, and building construction materials. Mangroves in Ghana: Aerial view of a mangrove forest in Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant Reclaiming lands for human settlement, agriculture, and salt pans also threaten these supertrees. I will be writing extensively on this with a short video and lots of photographs, hopefully in the next couple of weeks, when time permits. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant

Acadja Atidza Black Mangroves Mangroves in Ghana Society

Mangroves in Ghana: Man Cuts Down Mangrove Trees To Construct Atidza Traps

Atidza