The project aims to restore the seasonal evergreen forest of the Caribbean Mountains on a plot of land in the municipality of Gourbeyre that has been degraded by agricultural activities, which have encouraged the establishment of invasive alien species (IAS). Following the feasibility study carried out in May 2019 by an environmental consultancy, several habitats were identified. Two areas are considered priorities due to the presence of IAS such as bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), the proliferation of which threatens the vegetation cover comprising remarkable trees. This project forms part of three local public policy documents: the Monts Caraïbes management plan launched in 2019; the 2020 agreement implementing the Guadeloupe National Park territorial charter; and the action plan that enabled the renewal of the ‘Territoire Engagé pour la Nature’ (TEN) designation in 2023.
The aim of this project is to implement an intervention strategy to combat the spread of, and eradicate, invasive alien species with a view to restoring the affected ecosystems. To this end, priority will be given to natural regeneration and the reintroduction of native species present on a neighbouring plot.
Par ailleurs, le projet a pour ambition de sensibiliser et former l’ensemble des habitants de la commune de Gourbeyre notamment les usagers des Monts Caraïbes mais également les jeunes du Régiment du Service Militaire Adapté (RSMA) de la Guadeloupe afin de faciliter leur réinsertion dans le milieu socioprofessionnel. Il comprend aussi la réalisation d’un guide de réplicabilité permettant de dupliquer l’initiative sur la commune et l’ensemble de la bande intertropicale. Ce guide présentera principalement le protocole innovant d’élimination de l’herbe Guinée, Panicum maximum.
Duration: 36 months
