The factors responsible for mangrove forests development and its benefit to the

residence of La Grange, West Bank Demerara, Guyana.

The researcher would like to express his gratitude to everyone who helped in the
completion of this School Based Assessment and a special thanks to Ms. Lindsey
Baptiste for also guiding me through this S.B.A.
This School Based Assessment is mainly based on the factors responsible for
mangrove forest development and its benefit to the residence of La Grange, West
Bank Demerara, Guyana.

Mangroves contribute substantially to sea defense in Guyana by damping wave

action and reducing wave energy, trapping sediments and stabilizing shoreline
substrates, while playing an important role in carbon sequestration and are home to
many fishes and other sea creatures.

Factors responsible for mangrove forest development and its benefits includes:
Temperature, rainfall, soil, fauna, flora and vegetation. It is beneficial to the
residence by: preventing floods, preventing soil erosion and plays an important
role in the food chain.

My area of research is located in the Administrative region, region four (4) and is
located on the western side of Guyana. La Grange is nearest to the Demerara River
an 6 miles away from Georgetown snuggling between the almost equally
appealing villages of Bagotville and Schoonord. It has a population of
approximately 935 people and 689 households. La Grange is famous for its fertile
soil, rich culture and mix ethnicity.
To investigate the factors responsible for mangrove forest development and its
benefits to the residence of La Grange, West Bank Demerara, Guyana.
When & Where

- Data was distributed on the 19th of December 2017 between 1:00 pm and
3:30 pm and was collect on 21st of December between 12:30 pm and 2:30
pm. At the La Grange old road, West Bank Demerara, Guyana.

How data was collected

- An interview with a worker at Guyana Forestry commission

- Taking notes during the interview
- Taking photos using a digital camera, field observation and mapping of
area
 QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Sex: (a) male

(b) Female

2. Age: (a) 16-21

(b) 22-38
(c) 39- 54
(d) 55- 70

3. How long have you been residing in La Grange?

(a) 1-8
(b) 9-17
(c) 18-30
(d) 31-48
(e) Longer

4. How long do you think these mangroves forest has been here?
(a) 5-15 years
(b) 16-25 years
(c) 26-35
(d) 36-45
(e) Longer
5. Which factor do you think is mostly responsible for mangrove forest
development?
(a) Soil
(b) Temperature
(c) Rainfall
(d) Fauna
(e) Flora & vegetation

6. How do you think mangrove forest benefits the residence of La

Grange?

(a) By Preventing floods

(b) By Preventing soil erosion
(c) By playing an important role in the food chain
(d) Providing shelter

7. What do you think are some uses of mangroves?

(a) Making fish poles
(b) Making charcoals
(c) Making dye
(d) Making wooden fence

8. Why do you think we should protect mangrove forest in our country?

(a) Because they provide protection
(b) Because they contribute to rural livelihood
(c) Because they provide medicine
(d) Because they provide home for fishes and other sea creatures
9. What do you think will happen if mangrove forests were destroyed?
(a) Extreme Flooding
(b) Wash away of fertilized top soil
(c) A decrease in fishes
(d) No specialized medicine

10. Why do residences cut down the mangrove trees?

(a) To make houses
(b) To make medicine
(c) Because it blocks the view
(d) It prevent wind from passing through

11. Do you know what type of mangrove forest is in La Grange?

(a) Black mangroves
(b) White mangroves
(c) Red mangroves

12. How do you feel about the mangrove forest in La Grange?

13. Does tourist come here often?

(a) YES
(b) NO
14. What can you do to save mangroves?
(a) Participate in the plantation of mangroves
(b) Try to create awareness among people
(c) Stop the cutting down of mangrove trees
(d) Complain to local authorities in case you observe any violations

15. Do you think that we should plant more mangrove trees in Guyana?
(a) YES
(b) NO
Good afternoon sir, I’m a student of Covent garden secondary school currently
preparing to sit in CSEC examination I would like to seek permission for just a few
minutes of your time so I can ask you a few question base on The factors
responsible for mangrove forests development and its benefit to the residence of La
Grange, West Bank Demerara, Guyana. Thank you for your time and cooperation
it is well appreciated.

How many mangroves do you estimate is in the area of La Grange?

How does the Guyana forestry and commission protect the mangroves?

Does the country benefits from the mangrove forest financially?

Is there a particular way to care for mangroves?

Why is it necessary for us to protect the mangroves?

 COVER LETTER

Dear villagers,

This is a survey being carried out in La Grange to determine, what are the
factors responsible for mangrove forest development and its benefit to the
residence of La Grange? This study is being conducted as my Geography school
based assessment, you’re advised to answer the following questions honestly and
truthfully, since you do not have to write your name anywhere ,no one will never
know who answered in a particle way .

They are no right or wrong answers, the questions can be answered by a check on
the letter in bracket like this (a) (b) (c) (d) specific instruction is given where
necessary.

Thank you

Yours sincerely

J.daconceicao
Colum graph showing: The factors responsible for mangrove forests development

flora& vegetation 8%
what factor to you think is mostly
respnosiable for mangrove forest

fauna 12%
development?

rainfall 32%

temperature 16%

soil 32%

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35

In this figure it is shown that the 2 most responsible factors for mangrove forest
development are soil 32% and rainfall 32%, 16% of the people chose temperature,
12%chose fauna and 8% chose flora & vegetation.
Bar graph showing: the benefits of mangrove forest to the residence of La Grange

0.4 36%
0.35
0.3
24%
0.25 20% 20%
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
by preventing by preveting soil by playing an by providing
flood erosion important role in shelter
the food chain
how do you think mangrove forest benefits the residenc of La Grange
?

In this figure it shows how mangrove forest benefits the La Grange residence? 36%
chose by preventing rainfall, 24% chose by preventing soil erosion, 20% chose by
playing an important role in the food chain and 20% chose by proving shelter.
Figure three (3) showing: Question 15

Do you think that we should plant more mangrove trees in Guyana?

yes no

0.9
0.8 80%
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2 20%
0.1
0 0 0
1 2 3 4

It is shows that 80% of the residence said yes to plant more trees in Guyana while
20% said no.
Table showing: some uses of mangroves

OPTION NUM. OF RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

Making fish rods 6 24%
Making charcoals 8 32%
Making dye 3 12%
Making wooden fence 8 32%

It is shown that mangrove trees are mainly used for making charcoals and making
wooden fence 32%, 24% uses it for making fish rods while 12% makes dye.
Based on data collected most of the residence in La Grange, West Bank Demerara,
Guyana who were involved in the survey acknowledge that soil and rainfall are the
main factors for mangrove forest development with the majority of (32%), stating
that soil and rainfall are important for mangrove forest development it was also
observed that (20%) temperature is also important for mangrove trees to grow. It
was also observed that mangrove trees benefit the residence of La Grange, (36%)
of the mangrove forest benefits the residence by preventing floods while (24%)
prevent soil erosion, (20%) also benefits the residence by playing an important role
in the food chain, with the data carried out (80%) of the residence wants to keep
plating mangrove trees meanwhile (20%) don’t, the residence of La Grange mainly
use mangroves for making wooden fence and making charcoals with the majority
of (32%).
After doing this research it was found that the factors responsible for mangrove
forest development are soil, rainfall, temperature, fauna, flora and vegetation,
mangroves also benefit the residence of La Grange by preventing floods, soil
erosion, providing shelter and playing an important role in the food chain. Many of
the residence also use the mangrove trees for making charcoals, wooden fence, and
medicine and fish rod. It can be concluded that mangrove is a very important and
can be used for various purposes.
Ottly, J and Gentles, M (2006) Longman Geography for CSEC, England Pearson
Education Limited

Wilson, M, (2012). The Caribbean Environmental for CSEC Geography, New

York Oxford University Press
La Grange welcome sign