Fundo Island
[flickr album= 72157623068403342 num=8 size=Thumbnail]
Fundo is the only inhabited island among the group of islets forming Pemba’s northwest reef. Traditionally an island of fishermen, the island has recently diversified its livelihood activities to include seaweed farming and tree planting. This season Fundo Island is exploring the use of different soil types and soil mixes in order to optimize their in-nursery growing conditions. Due to high saline content in the soils, adequate drainage and nutrient retention is a key substrate condition for tree growing on the islet. Due to the islet’s high level of humidity, a fungal related ailment called “damping off” will also prove to be a major hurdle for the Fundo Islet nursery, and Community Forests Pemba will closely monitor their activities in 2009-2010, ensuring adequate technical support as the community works to adjust to their difficult growing conditions. The population of Fundo is 2,131 (1,102 male and 1,029 women) with an average age of 14.7
