Planting mangroves by hovercraft
Hov Pod Hovercraft are working with developers and charitable organisations to use hovercraft to speed up the planting of mangroves.
Mangroves provide many benefits, from soaking up CO2 to providing coastal protection, and providing a nursery for a wide range of marine life, fish, crabs etc, which in turn provide food for birds and land animals. Mangroves save coastal regions from the incredibly destructive force of tsunamis, saving lives, protecting homes. The dense roots of mangroves trap sediments flowing down rivers and off the land, thus stabilising the coastline and prevents erosion from waves and storms. In areas where mangroves have been cleared, coastal damage from hurricanes and typhoons is much more severe. By filtering out sediments, the forests also protect corals and seagrass meadows from being smothered in sediment.
Hovercraft can reach tidal areas faster and more safely
Hovercraft operate in shallow waters and over mud, so provide access to areas for seed collection. Seedlings are then dispersed over a wide area. Much less expensive than aeroplanes, and with a far greater payload and operating range than drones, a single hovercraft can plant more mangrove seedlings more cheaply than can be achieved by any other methods. Seedlings are planted on in biodegradable coir pots (using coir from local suppliers).
Whilst the hovercraft flies slowly over the mudflats, the planter releases the seedlings in a line from either side of the hovercraft. As these seedlings take root and grow, so they reseed their local areas to provide a dense mangrove canopy, and in doing so, soak up CO2, protect the environment, and reduce coastal erosion. Hovercraft fly at a height of 8 inches, so make no impact on existing plant or sea life. Hovercraft do not create a wake to erode the fragile coastal areas. Hovercraft do not pump exhaust fumes into the water, and have no propeller to get snagged, or cause damage to manatees.
If you would like further information, or like to support the development of this innovative approach to helping the environment, please contact us for more information.